El Trigal arts school students explore molecular biology at Universidad de Chile’s Faculty of Sciences
On October 29, 2025, twelfth-grade students from Escuela Particular Artística El Trigal in Maipú took part in a practical molecular biology session at Universidad de Chile’s Faculty of Sciences. Organized by the Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation (CRG), the activity brought together 15 students for a firsthand introduction to studying DNA in a scientific laboratory.
The session was led by CRG director Miguel Allende, together with researcher Álvaro Glavic, postdoctoral researcher Alexis Gaete, and center students Ricardo Yusta, Maximiliano Véliz, Deborah Cuper and Valentina Muñoz.
Students participated in a hands-on workshop that included DNA extraction, an explanation and demonstration of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and restriction assays. They also learned how portable MinION sequencing devices work, a technology currently used in genomic research.
The experience introduced students to real scientific work and helped them understand how these tools are used to study genes, biodiversity and the fundamental processes of life. Activities like this form part of CRG’s efforts to bring science to new generations and encourage an interest in research during the school years.