Victoria M.

On the very first day of the Fred Hutchinson program, we were assigned the task of extracting DNA from a strawberry. Me, Vicky, a highly experienced individual who had once completed the strawberry DNA extraction lab in freshman year, thought the lab would be a breeze thanks to my past knowledge. However, I was wrong!

Strawberry DNA Extraction

Instead of being given a list of instructions and steps with precise measurements of certain liquids and substances, we were given a Ziploc bag full of small plastic cards with a printed picture/description of a substance and its function, and a very cold, slightly dehydrated strawberry. For example, one of the notecards said something along the lines of “Ethanol: causes DNA to concentrate and purify.” From there, using our existing knowledge of the components comprising eukaryotic cells, we sorted and identified the biomolecules each cell layer consisted of (phospholipid bilayer, nuclear envelope, etc.) and made mixtures using the card ingredients to break down each membrane in order to reach the strawberry DNA.

I found the strawberry DNA extraction lab to be a fresh experience because we were given the freedom to experiment with the ingredients, measurements, and even steps of the experiment. It felt very rewarding to implement my biological knowledge into designing an experiment that showed successful results of isolated strawberry DNA floating in the tube. While many of my friends and peers preferred other labs over this one, I personally really loved the hands-on-ness of the strawberry DNA extraction. It was definitely one of my favorite labs of the entire program!

C. elegans Lab

Another experience I enjoyed at the Explorers program was the C. elegans (Caenorhabditis elegans) tour we had on Thursday. Thursday was the day when the entire class was introduced to three different animal labs: zebrafish, fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), and C. elegans. Out of the three lab tours, the one I was the most anticipated for and found the most interesting was the C. elegans lab. The reason I was so excited for the C. elegans lab was because one of the wonderful Fred Hutchinson interns, who happened to work with C. elegans, joined the class during lunch and talked about her experience working with the worm. From the beginning, I found it quite interesting how people were able to work with worms that were barely visible to the eye, but what really got me hooked was when the intern mentioned she was experimenting to make the worms glow (give off luminescent light). On the day of the tour, me and the class were shown around multiple labs containing C. elegans and different types of worms, and guided through the actual process of using CRISPR to alter the genetic sequencing of the unborn eggs stored inside the C. elegans’ bodies. Briefly summarized, CRISPR is the process of editing DNA by using a specialized protein (Cas9) to cut and modify specific genetic sequences through the use of guiding RNA (gRNA). The gRNA helps to target a specific DNA sequence based on complementary base pairing, guiding the Cas9 protein to the exact location in the genome where the cut should be made. The interns would inject the side of the mature C. elegans (in day 1 of adulthood) containing the gonads with a specific gRNA to alter the genome of the offspring and make them produce fluorescent light. It was a very fascinating experience to see all the tiny details of the transparent C. elegans. I was surprised by how thin and sharp the needle was and tried to take a good picture of the tip… The picture provided above was the best one I was able to take!

Reflecting back, the Fred Hutchinson Explorers Program was such a wonderful and unforgettable experience. I genuinely looked forward to coming in each day because I knew I would learn something new, try something hands-on, or hear something inspiring. The staff and TAs were so supportive, kind, and fun to be around, always making sure we felt comfortable asking questions and encouraging us to think deeper. Being surrounded by passionate people in such a welcoming environment made the whole experience even more special, and I’m incredibly grateful I got to be part of it!