Der Genetische Fingerabdruck: Horizon / Workshop vom 8. Februar – 12. Februar 2010

Bodelschwingh–Gymnasium, Bielefeld / Gymnasium aus Longsands; UK / Galileo Gymnasium; Verona

Der seltsame Fall des John Willis.

Zusammen mit Schülern aus Italien und England  klärten wir das Verbrechen um John Willis auf.

Grade aus dem Gefängnis entlassen, wird John Willis tot im Haus seiner Eltern aufgefunden. Es gibt gleich fünf dringend Tatverdächtige, frühere Komplizen, die alle dasselbe Motiv haben: Geldgier und Angst vor Verrat…

Unter der Leitung von Frau Pautsch  wurden die Grundlagen der Molekulargenetik erarbeitet und anschließend zur Lösung dieses Falles angewandt.

Der Mörder wurde mit Hilfe einer „Gel-Elektrophorese“ überführt.

Nachdem die jungen Kriminologen den seltsamen Fall nun gelöst hatten, konnten sie den Montagnachmittag zum gegenseitigen kennen lernen und Kaffee trinken nutzen.

Die wissenschaftliche Arbeit – welche Montag und Freitag in den Biologieräumen des Friedrich-von-Bodelschwingh Gymnasiums stattfand , beinhaltete am Dienstag einen Besuch der Bielefelder Universität. Dort wurden verschiedene Experimente zum Thema Genetik unter der Leitung von Dr. Arnold durchgeführt.

So hatte die Gruppe also auch die Möglichkeit theoretisch erarbeitete Grundlagen  praktisch umzusetzen und genetische Prozesse besser zu verfolgen.

Neben der wissenschaftlichen Arbeit hatten die Jugendlichen die Möglichkeit internationale Kontakte untereinander zu knüpfen, so zum Beispiel durch Ausflüge nach Münster zum forensischen Institut und nach Berlin.

Auch Abends unternahmen die Italiener, Engländer und Deutschen gemeinsame Aktionen wie Bowlen oder Essen gehen – so wurde der internationale, kulturelle Austausch unter den Jugendlichen gefördert.

Die Berlin-Fahrt ermöglichte den Austauschschülern die Hauptstadt Deutschlands kennen zu lernen und durch die großzügige Zeiteinteilung bestand die Möglichkeit selbstständig eigenen Interessen nachzugehen. Die Freizeit wurde vor allem von den weiblichen Teilnehmerinnen zum großen Teil für „Shopping“ genutzt.

Alle Beteiligten waren sich am Tag der Abreise einig, dass die gemeinsame Zeit viel zu kurz, aber dennoch sehr interessant und amüsant war.

So bleibt abschließend nur noch zu sagen, dass ein gelungenes Biologieprojekt durchaus nicht nur biologische, wissenschaftliche Fakten enthalten muss.

Arrividerci und Good Bye!                  (Text: Cennet Adigüzel und Joana Dahlhoff)

The Curious Case of John Willis

Early on Monday morning all 19 students arrived in Frau Pautsch’s biology laboratory. It was here that they would unravel the mysterious death of one John Willis. The students had arrived the previous evening, meeting their (wonderful) host families at Bielefeld train station. They had travelled form far and wide – with 8 Italian students, from the city of Verona, and just 3 English girls, whom had arrived from St.Neots in Cambridgeshire!

The first task of the day, involved the students discovering just how and why, this mysterious john Willis had been found dead in his apartment. They read a short article in which they discovered there were five possible suspects involved in this murder. Due to the array of possible suspects, the students were faced with the complex notion as to who had killed Mr Willis. This led them to their first DNA analysis!

All 19 students were divided into several small groups, each of which would analyse the DNA of all suspects and unravel the mystery by comparing their results with that of the DNA found at the murder scene. This involved several steps:

Firstly they had to gather the DNA samples, this was done using pipettes.

Next, a restriction enzyme was added to the DNA, in order to cut it, for comparison with the crime scene sample.

The DNA was then coloured using a dye, to ensure that it would be visible later on in the investigation.

An agarose gel was prepared, with wells, so that the students could add the DNA samples to this and carry out electrophoresis, which would show the genetic fingerprint of each person involved. 

Tuesday! Today, the electrophoresis had finished! This proved an exciting prospect as the students were able to discover just who was at the bottom of this gripping mystery! The day continued on as the students made their way to Bielefeld University, where they would take part in an additional genetic fingerprinting workshop, which would allow them to track lambda phage DNA. Their task was to unfold whether a DNA sample was infected with the lambda virus. For this they used the PCR (Polymerise Chain Reaction) process, which allowed them to amplify the DNA for examination, again using the electrophoresis process. All students were soon to discover that one of the two samples they had analyzed contained the “fatal” virus. The day was seemingly a success, as each student was enthusiastic and enjoyed the “hands on” biology experience!

The following day, the students were able to extend their forensic knowledge, when they were privileged enough to visit the Forensic Institute in Münster. Here they were given a presentation on the uses of PCR, and cases in which genetic fingerprinting has been of substantial use! Additionally, a tour of the institute was given, and some students were even given the opportunity to determine a substance found at a “murder scene”!

Finally, Thursday the students took part in a trip to Germany’s capital – Berlin! Although a tiring day, every student was delighted with the experience!

(Text: Laura Taylor)

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