DNA Biology and Bioinformatics Camp (Basic): Did you know that there are millions of DNA building blocks that encode for thousands of genes in the genome of all living organisms? How can scientists possibly study these vast stretches of DNA and genes to find genetic variation, gene function and their responses to signals from the environment? Scientists use biology experiments in a laboratory and perform queries and analyses on computers! This summer we invite you to come and explore the world of modern biology and learn how to examine the complexities of DNA. Through model-building, laboratory experiments and computer analyses – participants will gain basic understanding of biology, genetics, biotechnology and bioinformatics. Students will also learn some basic software programming tricks in the class. No prior programming skills required. Notes on Scholarships/Fee Waivers: Scholarship funds available for minorities, low-income, rural, first-generation college students, and/or females. ALL students planning to attend both this camp and the “advanced” camp the week of July 13-17 are also eligible to receive complementary registration fee waiver for one week. Full attendance in both weeks is required to receive the scholarship. Notes on Grade Level: This camp is intended for high school aged students. Therefore, 8th-graders who chose to register should be at a high school age maturity-level and academic understanding.

DNA Biology and Bioinformatics Camp (Advanced): This summer we invite students to our new advanced level-2 camp to come and explore the world of modern biology and learn how to examine the complexities of DNA. You will participate in hands-on activities involving advanced genomics and bioinformatics tools to identify existing or new species of worms by embarking on the ‘worm hunt’, identify animal cancer cells from healthy cells, characterize bacterial strains and perform bioinformatics analyses of assembling and annotating the sequenced bacterial genomes that the students will characterize. You will also learn basic software programming tricks. No prior programming skills required. Notes on Eligibility: This camp is open ONLY to students who enroll in the “Basic” camp the week of July 6-10 or students that have participated in the DNA Biology and Bioinformatics Camp in 2013 or 2014. Notes on Scholarships/Fee Waivers: Scholarship funds available for minorities, low-income, rural, first-generation college students, and/or females. ALL students planning to attend both this camp and the “basic” camp the week of July 6-10 are also eligible to receive complementary registration fee waiver for one week. Full attendance in both weeks is required to receive the scholarship. Notes on Grade Level: This camp is intended for high school aged students. Therefore, 8th-graders who chose to register should be at a high school age maturity-level and academic understanding.