How to hunt for proteins and get DNA out of a banana: BIOSS at the Wissenschaftsmarkt 2013 in Freiburg
On the 12 th and 13th July, surrounded by vegetable, flower and sausage vendors, inquisitive visitors could extract DNA from bananas and go on a hunt for proteins.
BIOSS researchers and students presented the Cluster of Excellence at the Freiburger Wissenschaftsmarkt 2013, the science fair on the Münstermarkt. More than 10 000 visitors explored the market and enjoyed research at its best behavior.
BIOSS proteins get a break too |
The BIOSS booth at the Wissenschaftsmarkt 2013 |
Tiny molecules with so many different functions: The BIOSS team initiated keen visitors into the world of proteins
Two teams represented the BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies on the science fair. Not only did the cluster introduce itself, but the iGEM team also got its own booth. At the BIOSS booth proteins were on the menu: The team explained how proteins work as signals by transmitting information in and outside the cell. Children experienced how tiny proteins and cells really are and got to look at cucumber and onion cells through a microscope.
In a quiz guests learned why proteins beat an olympic swim champion or how often you can get to the moon by aligning the cells of a body. By entering an avant-garde shrinkage device visitors were transformed into proteins and sent on a quest to find other proteins on the Münstermarket. When approached by fellow proteins, protease, phosphatase and others introduced themselves and their properties - a chance for adults as well as for children to learn about the multitude of protein functions in a cell.
The shrinkage device in action
Please try at home: iGEM students extracted DNA from bananas
At the iGEM booth a DNA show was on: With a little help of the students of the iGEM team, visitors precipitated banana DNA molecules making them visible to the audience. At times a small crowd gathered to gaze at the slimy result. The audience learned how to repeat the experiment at home with its own DNA, from saliva for example, with just detergent, salt and alcohol. However, the extracted DNA would look the same as for bananas anyway. Even the genes are similar, as humans share 70% of genetic information with the tropical fruit. Alica Ermhardt and Manuel Scheidmann show
prospective scientists how to extract DNA from bananas
A Protease explains its function to |
The BIOSS protein team |
The Freiburger Wissenschaftsmarkt 2013
Every second year the traditional market next to the Münsterchurch in Freiburg is invaded by scientists of all research institutions in the Freiburg region. Scientists demonstrate their research with vivid experiments and games and science shows. The Freiburger Wissenschaftsmarkt 2013 is organized by both the University of Freiburg and the Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe GMBH (FWTM). For the second time, BIOSS Centre for Biological Signalling Studies presents its research on the science fair.
Dr. Thomas Wossning explains cellular signalling pathways
For more information on the Wissenschaftsmarkt: www.uni-freiburg.de/forschung/wissenschaftsmarkt
Proteins are tiny (only in German!): http://prezi.com/pk-gzjcz0pc9/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Presse:
http://www.badische-zeitung.de/freiburg/herzoperationen-auf-dem-muensterplatz--73464416.html