355 Harris Ave.
Our DNA is an amazing molecular microscope! Found in each of our cells, DNA tells the story of life from Day 1 all the way to “now.” By examining ancient DNA in teeth (called aDNA) researchers are deciphering and rapidly rewriting human history – such as why the Roman Empire faltered and why the Mayans perished.
Epidemiologists know that although microbes are the source of pandemics – it is peoples’ actions that actually cause pandemics. We will study why the Black Plague (~1350 AD) started as a mutated microbe that caused the deaths of 1/3 of Europe’s population. We will compare cultural dynamics of that time period to our own Covid-19 societal issues of today. Ancient genomes tell the story.
You will leave this class with a general understanding of how mutations do their sleuthing and how DNA sequencing technology works to unravel the story of where we came from and how we got here.
Registration ends March 2
