Zohaib Rana, Hamish Salvesen and Jessica Aucott extract DNA from bananas at the University of Otago Science Expo.
The Department of Biochemistry at the University of Otago stepped out of the lab and into the community during this year’s biennial New Zealand International Science Festival, delivering an engaging mix of hands-on science, lab tours, and interactive displays.
As part of the University’s Science Expo, Otago Biochemistry once again teamed up with the Genetics Programme to run a lively and educational booth. Festival-goers had the chance to try their hand at real lab techniques through interactive demonstrations under the banner: “Pipette like a pro, vibrate with a vortex, and extract DNA out of a banana!”. Visitors explored the building blocks of life by extracting DNA from bananas and using mechanical pipettes to create colourful droplet art.
The department also debuted its first-ever Magical Molecule Tour, an open-house style event that offered an up-close look at the cutting-edge research happening behind the scenes. Held in the main seminar room of the Biochemistry Building, the event featured research booths hosted by scientists and students who shared their work in an accessible and engaging way.
Attendees explored the science of the molecules that shape our daily lives through a variety of hands-on activities. They built molecular models, solved puzzles to uncover the secrets of genes, and used virtual reality to explore the world of proteins. Participants studied protein crystals under microscopes, discovered how brains work, and learned how fats clog arteries. They even carried out infiltrations on pansy leaves—a technique used to introduce genetic material into plant cells.
Guided tours gave visitors a behind-the-scenes look at some of the department’s high-tech facilities, including the protein crystallography suite, mass spectrometry facility, confocal microscopy, and DNA sequencing lab. Guests even encountered some “odd local critters” of the insect kind in the Dearden Lab.
Event organiser Dr Nathan Kenny said the event exceeded expectations. “It was lots of fun and had a real buzz. We had a good mix of visitors; some stayed the whole time to make sure they got on all the tours. I think all the presenting labs had fun – the VR goggles were a fave for the visitors. All in all, worth doing again in two years, I think!”
With curious minds of all ages diving into the wonders of molecular science, the Department’s outreach proved that biochemistry doesn’t just belong in the lab—it belongs in the community.
Scenes from the Magical Molecule Tour event, clockwise from top left: Conor Vaessen, Ruby Werry and Tanis Godwin talk colon cancer; Ben Peters talks pansy infiltrations; Phoebe Keddell demonstrates DNA sequencing; Sankalita Ray Das and Janaki Ghatane talk rare genetic disorders.