Special to the Enquirer  

Students in Jessica Parker’s biology class at Hartselle High School visited the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology April 18.

The field trip was led by April Reis of HudsonAlpha Educational Outreach. Juniors and seniors took part in a learning experience called Investigating the Genetics of Cancer, one of a number of labs at HudsonAlpha available for high school students.

These students examined the genetic roots of cancer, compared hereditary and non-hereditary cancers and used the HNPCC kit to trace a cancer-related mutation through a family. They used a family medical history to create a pedigree and select likely candidates for genetic testing.

Using gel electrophoresis, students identified family members carrying the cancer‐linked mutation. Reis and the rest of HudsonAlpha’s Educational Outreach team work to foster a genetics-literate society and train Alabama’s future biotechnology workforce.