Genes and Genomics in Frutillar: bringing science to students in the Los Lagos Region
“Genes and Genomics in Frutillar”, held at the Universidad de Chile Experimental Station, was an educational activity for students from eighth through twelfth grade at Frutillar’s Copérnicus and Montessori schools. The event brought together 60 students for hands-on experiences exploring how DNA is studied and how genomics helps us understand biodiversity.
The activity was organized by the Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation (CRG) in collaboration with Universidad de Chile and led by the center’s director, Miguel Allende. Luisa Pereiro coordinated the outreach activities. The workshop was delivered by postdoctoral researcher Alexis Gaete and student Ricardo Yusta.
Students took part in several experimental stations, extracting DNA from potatoes and bananas, observing zebrafish embryos as a genetic model, and learning how key molecular biology tools such as PCR and sequencing equipment work. These experiences helped them understand how scientists study genes and how this information explains life processes and biological diversity.
The activity also marked an important step toward establishing a science outreach space in the Los Lagos Region. Through initiatives like this, CRG seeks to strengthen connections between research and the community, bringing genomics to students in southern Chile and encouraging an interest in science among new generations.