Published the results of the project on the American academic website.
Zhang Shengxi and Zhang Yuanqi completed a cooperative experimental project in Cold Spring Harbor Asian DNA Learning Center, known as the "Cradle of Life in the World", and published the results of the project in the field of DNA barcode research on the American academic website.
These two students are from Grade 11 of our program, such a legendary summer internship has just come to an end. We had the honor to interview these two outstanding students and to share their stories together!
Q1: First of all, congratulations to you both! How did you come up with the idea for taking part in this project?
A: Before joining the project, we have already had a preliminary understanding about the international influence of Cold Spring Harbor Asia DNA Learning Center through the cooperation between our school and the Learning Center. It is known as the "Cradle of Life in the World", and it is also the first gene science education and popular science institution in China.
Therefore, when the teacher introduced the DNA barcode project to us, we were all longing for it. On the one hand, we were all very interested in the field of Biology. It was a very precious opportunity for us to meet and learn from the "great masters" of life science. On the other hand, we also want to broaden our horizon and enrich our professional knowledge through the study of this project, to lay the groundwork and reference for choosing majors in the future.
We are all very grateful for the recommendation of our head teacher Ms. Tan Jiawen. After a selection, we finally got to participate in this project. We also would like to thank Prof. Wang Xinyue and Dr. John M.Olson of Cold Spring Harbor Asia DNA Learning Center for their guidance and help. This is an interesting and unforgettable learning experience.
Q2: Could you give us a brief introduction about the DNA barcode project?
A: We participated in a two-week DNA barcode project run by the Cold Spring Harbor Asia DNA Learning Center. In the process of this project, we take some local shellfish in Suzhou as the research object, through collecting biological specimens, using advanced experimental technology and molecular biology research methods, generate the DNA barcode data of each organism, and then explore the natural environment in Suzhou.
In the course of DNA barcode, we learn about ecology, evolution, molecular biology, and the use of DNA sequence information to identify different species. It is also a great encouragement for us to contribute to the study of plant species in our hometown.
Q3: Why did you choose shellfish as your research object?
A: The reason why we chose shellfish is that Suzhou is located in the south of the Yangtze River with a rich water system and a wide variety of shellfish. Therefore, we want to understand the classification of shellfish through the study of the DNA sequence of shellfish. Based on the previous experimental data, after discussing with our instructor, we jointly designed a series of experiments with shellfish as the research object, sampling and DNA extraction of shellfish available in the market in Suzhou.
Q4: Did you encounter any unexpected confusion or problems during the project? What was the final solution?
A: There are always uncertain variables in any experiment, which made us look forward to each day at the Asian DNA Learning Center, as well as a lot of stress and anxiety as the project progresses. Fortunately, our research has been carried out in a stable and orderly way with the guidance of instructors, which we think is also related to the breakthrough research methods.
Based on the past experience that it was difficult to detect the DNA of shrimp and shellfish samples, we decided to conduct sampling and DNA extraction in two groups at the same time.
One group did not stick to the sample size stipulated by the teachers and increased the extraction of the sample size, while the other group extracted according to the normal sample size.
The experimental results show that the increase of sample size can indeed improve the success rate of DNA extraction for these difficult DNA samples, which can also provide experience for students and researchers involved in this topic in the future.
Q5: How do you feel after learning that your research results were published on the US website?
A: We are very happy to have the results published on the US website, which is not only recognition of our research results, but also the affirmation of the teachers of our program and Cold Spring Harbor Asia DNA Learning Center project team, adding to our great sense of achievement.
In the future, when we apply for related majors in foreign universities, this honor will also be an advantage for us, which will bring us more confidence and motivation to strive for the top universities in the field of Biology.
Q6: What have you learned from this project?
Zhang Shengxi: The study in this project not only enriched our biology knowledge, but also made me more interested in the knowledge in different fields of biology.
I believe that I will continue to make more explorations in the field of biology in future study, and I also hope that I can experience more fun and achieve better results in this process.
Zhang Yuanqi: Through this project, we learned a lot of experimental methods. For example, I have learned the methods of collecting and making plant specimens, the production process and management system of specimen archives, and PCR analysis. Many of these methods are biological and chemical experiment skills I can only come into contact with when I am studying in university. The management methods are used only in professional level laboratories. I have this knowledge and experience now while I am still in high school.
In the whole process of the project, I also realized the importance of teamwork through close cooperation and discussion in the experimental process.
Q7: What is your original intention of choosing the Sino-Canada Program?
A: The reason why I choose the Sino-Canada Program is that I want to experience the Canadian education mode. Besides, it has a strong team of faculty and rich teaching experience, and the admission results of its graduates are quite great.
Q8: How do you feel about the learning atmosphere and teaching mode of the Sino-Canada Program in the past two years? How does it help to improve yourself?
Zhang Shengxi: After two years of study, I mainly learned the concept of time management. In addition to completing the courses, we are encouraged to develop our own interests.
The all-English teaching mode has played a great role in improving my English. In the summer vacation, I got 6.5 points in my first IELTS test, which I think is closely related to the English teaching mode of our program.
Zhang Yuanqi: The academic learning atmosphere of our program is rigorous. The number of students in each class is only about 20. The foreign teachers can pay more attention to each student's study. Moreover, foreign teachers are very attentive to each student and can understand each student's learning situation.
Q9: In addition to study, you also participated in a lot of social practice activities in your spare time. What unforgettable experiences did these activities bring to you?
Zhang Shengxi: I participated in MicroBiz Competition, Firefly Walking orginized by Tang Mama Charity Center, Cold Spring Harbor Green Gene Project.
Through the study of the Cold Spring Harbor Gene Experiment Project, I have developed a strong interest in the biology, and I will continue to take part in such projects during the winter and summer vacations.
Zhang Yuanqi: I joined MicroBiz Competition, the Global Village English Speech, and the Firefly Walking, and I have developed a strong interest in business, so I hope to continue my study of business in the future.
Q10: What's your vision and plan for studying abroad in the future?
Zhang Shengxi: I hope I can learn foreign cutting-edge technology and academic knowledge in my university and I hope I can have more in-depth study and development in Biology or Genetic Engineering.
Zhang Yuanqi: I hope I can adapt to the life of studying abroad more quickly, because the teaching mode of the Sino-Canada Program makes me have the advantages of language and so on. I believe I will integrate into the study and daily life there more easily.