Wolbachia lab workshop - DNA extraction!

Wolbachia infects 60% of all insect species on earth, and has an enigmatic and complex relationship with its hosts. Recently researchers have exploited this relationship to successfully manage Dengue and Zika virus transmission by mosquitoes.

In this series of 3 laboratory workshops you will learn to extract DNA from insect samples, amplify marker genes of any Wolbachia bacteria they may be carrying, verify the result of the amplification using gel electrophoresis, sequence those genes, and identify the Wolbachia species present.

Bio: Lina is a pharmacist by training. She also has a Master’s degree studying entomology and physiology, and spends much of her free time chasing butterflies and trying to learn python.

Today's workshop will be focusing on DNA extraction from insect samples - feel free to bring an insect to work on, preferably several of the same species.

You are strongly encouraged to attend all three workshops Sept 21-28 and Oct 5.

Please wear long pants and closed shoes - no skin showing below the waist.

Please RSVP because space is limited. There is a $20 class fee to cover materials for the class ($60 for the series). Noone turned away for lack of funds.