UAF students first to do DNA sequencing at home

December 12, 2019

Marissa Carl-Acosta
907-455-2070

This spring the University of Alaska Fairbanks will offer the country’s first online class that enables students to do DNA sequencing in their home.

Principles of Genetics, a four-credit biology course, will send each student molecular genetics equipment and teach them how to sequence the contents of herbal dietary supplements to see if they actually contain the plant species listed on their labels. Based on the samples tested so far, many of them don't.

“The results are fairly shocking,” said Diana Wolf, who has taught the course for 15 years and is now developing the online version. Principles of Genetics is part of UAF’s plan to offer a fully online biology degree soon.

Before deciding to provide online students with the equipment needed to prepare the samples themselves, Wolf tested online lab programs from other colleges.

“They were lame and they were frustrating,” she said, remembering one where she had to use her computer mouse to pick up a pipette graphic and put liquid in a tube. “It’s certainly not the same as doing it yourself, and it’s certainly not going to get students excited about doing science.”



Creating her one-of-a-kind education experience was not the easy choice. In addition to cost barriers, Wolf’s challenge is replicating a one-on-one experience for students who are in different settings and working at different times. To bridge any gaps, Wolf will use video and make herself easily available to students.

Even though students are not in a lab setting, mastering good lab techniques will be critical their success in the online course. Step one, learning how to properly use a pipette, requires students to share video of themselves actually doing it. Wolf will then offer feedback to students individually, ensuring they are ready to move on to the next step. Wolf has also made videos of herself showcasing various lab techniques. She will offer live video sessions throughout the semester, which students can join to work on their labs or ask questions.

Wolf and the UAF Department of Biology and Wildlife are committed to serving students who need the flexibility of online courses. Wolf expects the online version of her course will appeal to a variety of students, including those who work full-time, live out of state, serve in the military, are preparing for medical school or are interested in their own biology.



“Lab work, such as DNA sequencing, is an extremely important part of genetics,” Wolf said. “And students are excited by the prospect of sequencing DNA on their own.”