Hyderabad students explore DNA research

Hyderabad: About two dozen students from the city were selected to experience exclusive DNA labs at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) which concluded its 12th year of Young Innovators Programme recently. The students were provided hands-on experience of working inside labs and were shown how DNA is used to detect genetic diseases and how infectious diseases are understood better through the biology of pathogens.

The students studying in Grades 8-10 were selected from 24 schools from among 326 applicants. The selections took place December 23 last, following the inaugural lecture by Dr Mudrika Khandelwal from IIT-Hyderabad.

The selected students spent a week in the different labs and research facilities at CCMB.

One of the participants, S. Hitesh from Oak Valley School said: “I got to see how scientists actually work. I discovered a whole new world of research. Meeting the researchers and hearing them talk passionately about their work was truly fascinating. I also got to meet other students my age and formed bonds with them throughout the programme.”

“This programme is strategically developed for students studying till grade 10, before they make their choice of studying biology. It intends to give them a glimpse of the excitements and opportunities modern biology offers,” said Dr Somdatta Karak, head, science communication and public outreach, CCMB.