WHRHS Student Participates in Rutgers Summer Science Project

Once again standout biology teacher Anne Marie Johnson devoted part of her summer vacation to a wonderful science program run by Rutgers University. The Waksman Student Scholars Program is designed to help high school students learn about modern molecular genetics by engaging them in genuine scientific research projects. This year rising junior Mitchel Fung represented WHRHS in the project which focuses on the genomic sequence analysis of Duckweed Landoltia punctuata. Participating students  isolate and sequence genes from the Duckweed in order to compare how the genes in this organism compare to other species. What makes the project particularly challenging and exciting is that the sequencing of these genes has never been done before and the information, once discovered, will be deposited in the International Sequence Database for scientists all over the world to use. The comparison of the Landoltia punctuate sequence with genes from other eukaryotes will help define the evolutionary relationship between these organisms and will guarantee the sequence conservation of specific genes series.

Our compliments and thanks go to dedicated teachers like Ms. Johnson and to motivated students like Mitchel Fung – keep up the great work!