Metta Pratt facilitates DNA workshop at the Museum of Natural History
The Dunn School’s Metta Pratt has been actively involved in public engagement this week, helping deliver a workshop at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March.
The DNA workshop for ‘A’ level Biology students entitled ‘A question of taste’ enabled students to analyse and compare their version of a bitter taste receptor gene (their genotype) to their ability to taste PTC (their pheonotype) using research-quality equipment.
Metta, a graduate student in the Raff Group, assisted in facilitating the workshop by being a demonstrator and helping interpret the test results.
Metta said: ‘The workshop involved a technique that I actually use routinely in the lab and provided the opportunity to work with A-level students who have all the background knowledge to talk about more complicated biology. It was very rewarding helping the students make the connection between the various techniques and the context of human evolution. ‘
Feedback from the participants was excellent. A year 13 student from Cherwell School said: ‘I’ve never done anything like this before. It was great to do a practical on our own DNA. I’d like to know more about University courses that use these techniques.’
Enrolment as a volunteer is via the museum website: http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk/support/helpout.htm
