Strawberry Bytes to Protein Pixels

Part 1: Strawberry DNA Extraction; Hands-On Science Visitors will start by extracting DNA from strawberries using a simple, hands-on experiment. The exhibitor will pour an extraction fluid composed of detergent, salt, and isopropyl alcohol into a bag with a strawberry for a visitor to smash for a couple minutes. This activity will show how DNA is extracted from cells. We'll explain how DNA encodes the instructions for building proteins, tying it to the central dogma of molecular biology. Visitors will get to keep a vial of strawberry DNA. Part 2: Genome Search; Paper vs. Computer Next, visitors will engage in a genome search activity to experience the challenges of analyzing genetic data. They'll be given short patterns to find (e.g., ATGGGC) by comparing to a large print of a strawberry genome sequence. First, they'll try searching manually, underlining the identifying sequence on the poster. Then, they'll use a computer program to search the same sequences. This comparison will highlight the power of computational tools available in bioinformatics and why scientists rely on computers to analyze massive amounts of data such as genomes. We'll also briefly explain how genome sequencing works and its applications. Part 3: Protein Model Exploration VR or Chimera Finally, visitors will explore 3D models of proteins derived from strawberry DNA. Using VR headsets with UCSF Chimera (a molecular visualization tool), they'll interact with proteins like those responsible for the strawberry's red color. They'll see how the DNA sequence translates into a protein's structure and function, completing the central dogma journey. This immersive experience will help visitors appreciate how molecular shapes determine real-world traits.