A Lesson in Barcoding Life

October 30, 2007

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- As hit crime drama shows like "CSI" shine light on how DNA is being used to track down killers and solve crimes, there's a different kind of problem plaguing our region that can also be solved with the help of DNA. DNA barcoding has helped scientists track down what they believe to be responsible for killing a large number of regional amphibians. They found a water mold in local watersheds that they say is deadly for local frogs and their eggs.

"By using DNA barcoding techniques, we're able to track the fungus in living frogs at amounts that would be too small to detect with a microscope," says Dr. James Johnson, CWU Department of Biological Sciences. "DNA barcoding is a method of identifying organisms using short, standardized sequences of DNA to match known and unknown samples."

According to Johnson, DNA barcoding has been especially beneficial to scientists in the discovery of many new types of fungi. He says this type of procedure helps scientists determine what's causing the disease, as well as what fungi is actually helping organisms.

Johnson will share his research in a presentation titled, "Barcoding Life: Using DNA to Track Killers and Helpers," Friday, November 2, 2007 at 4 p.m. in the Science Building, room 147. The presentation is part of the CWU Natural Sciences Seminar Series. Refreshments will be served prior to the seminar.

For more information on this seminar or for a complete schedule for the Fall 2007 series, visit www.cwu.edu/~biology/scienceseminars/index.html or contact the Department of Biological Sciences at 509-963-1267.

Contact: Daniel Beck, CWU Department of Biological Sciences, beckd@cwu.edu, 509-963-2886
Teri Olin, CWU Public Relations & Marketing, olint@cwu.edu, 509-963-1416

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.