With this group, we have completed lab training for the year. Image 1, the team is working on the pipetting test. Image 2, showing off their passing scores. Image 3, the team presents the DNA they isolated. Next, all teams learn PCR and begin collecting data!

After this crew passed their pipetting exam, they went to work isolating DNA for their part of the project. A lot of fun, focused energy in the lab. Keep it going team.

I am behind in posting our lab work. During the past few weeks, we have been training new club members. The next few posts will feature these students. Image 1 the team is showing their pipetting test scores. Image 2 the team presents the DNA they isolated using the Qiagen DNEasy protocol.

Here is the first lab group of the year with the DNA they isolated from spot prawn legs.

These DNA samples will be used to collect genetic structure data.

It is a new school year, and the Mariner Marine Science Club is getting back to work! But first, a post from the summer. Two graduates, Vincent and Victory joined me in Westport, WA for the last and most efficient collection trip of the shiner perch project. 50 samples in two hours!

A short diversion from Mariner Marine Science content.

My daughter, Mary, who is the music director at Magnolia Lutheran Church, is producing a concert series this summer. The first concert is Saturday, June 14 at 5 pm. Please consider attending.

This spring the Mariner Marine Science Club lab teams have been scoring their microsatellite DNA data. It is gratifying to see that they enjoy scoring the data as much as working at the bench to produce it.

Last week, these two young ladies, Valeria and Valerie spoke to the Mukilteo Kiwanis Club. They expertly explained the purpose of the Mariner Marine Science Club and status of the shiner perch project. Good work!

Every two years, we ask the community for support. Donate to our project on this Give Big Tuesday by following one of these links.

Mariner Marauder Booster Club
www.marinerboosterclub.com/donating
Please write “Marine Science” in the “Add a note” window.

GoFundMe
www.gofundme.com/f/support-ma...

The Mariner Marine Science Club trains students to participate in real science projects. The past two years we have been working on a genetic diversity study of shiner perch.

A rare Throwback Thursday from 2017. Showing off the first spot prawn data, these three young ladies went on to graduate college with biochemistry, biomedical engineering, piano, and biology degrees. They were a blast to work with.

Students new to the lab go through eight hours of training. Lab safety, waste disposal, bench organization, keeping a lab notebook, and micropipette operation. Before a student can begin lab work, they must pass a pipetting test. Here, you see three students who have just passed their test.

Before DNA analysis can begin, the students must isolate DNA from each of the 585 fish we sampled. A small piece of fin from every fish sampled is individually prepared. We use the Qiagen DNeasy spin column method.

Happy Earth Day.
The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand. - Carl Sagan

Then a fin clip is taken for DNA analysis. The fin is placed in a microcentrifuge tube filled with 95% ethanol. Each fish was returned to the water alive and well but for a bit of missing fin.

First, each fish was photographed for morphometric analysis.

Following capture, the fish were then taken to the sampling station.

Before the genetic and morphometric lab work can be done, samples must be collected. For the shiner perch project, we fished off public piers. The next post will show you what we did with the fish.

Hello, World. This is our first Bluesky post.
The Mariner Marine Genetics Lab gives high school students the opportunity to participate in real science projects. We study genetic and shape variation of inconspicuous Salish Sea organisms. Follow us to see what we have been working on this year.