Wolbachia Project

Falcon School District 49 high school science teacher Paul Austin helps eleventh grade students complete an Agarose gel electrophoresis lab May 22 during an advanced placement biology class at Falcon High School. Two schools in District 49, Patriot Learning Center and Falcon High School, are participating in the Wolbachia Project, which searches the DNA of arthropod cells for Wolbachia pipientis endosymbionts. The students are helping scientists better understand the global frequency of the bacteria, and the extent of its impact on insect reproductive systems.