What is The Meharry Medical College DNA Learning Center (DNALC)?
The Meharry Medical College DNA Learning Center (DNALC) is proud to be the first DNALC in the Southeastern United States and the first ever based at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). In collaboration with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, the Diaspora Human Genomics Institute, and the Together for Change™ Initiative, we are breaking barriers in STEM by bringing innovative genetics education to communities historically left out of the scientific conversation. Join us as we spark discovery, foster equity, and open doors to futures in science. As part of Meharry Medical College’s legacy of service and excellence, we invite students, educators, and the broader community to explore the world of genetics and contribute to a more equitable future in science.
Experience hands-on science in an unforgettable way at the Meharry Medical College DNA Learning Center
At the DNA Learning Center, students can participate in an array of science activities, including:
- In-Person Lab Field Trips: Visit the Meharry DNALC for a science field trip and experience hands-on labs in our state-of-the-art laboratory classroom.
- Camps and Courses: Our camps and courses span an array of topics and feature options like Fun with DNA, Genome Science, and many more.
- DNALC Media: DNALC media provides a variety of educational, media-rich sites and educational animations covering topics ranging.
Reserve a Science Field Trip for Your Students
Our in-person science field trips deliver hands-on biology and genetics experiences for middle and high school students. Students have fun while learning about important science concepts and performing sophisticated experiments.
To request more information about any of our science field trips, just fill out the online contact form and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.
Program Information
Field Trips
Reserve a trip for students to experience hands-on labs in one of our state-of-the-art laboratory classrooms. DNALC educators and Ph.D. biologists are trained to deliver an exceptional learning experience to every visitor.
Middle School Field Trip
Our program of genetics laboratory field trips includes a variety of hands-on experiments to introduce elementary and middle school students to genetics and molecular biology. Instructors encourage a student-centered approach linking the process of discovery to learning and guide students through cutting-edge experiences inspired by techniques and tools used by research scientists.
Learn More About Field Trips
High School Field Trip
In 1988 the DNALC began offering DNA manipulation labs to high school students during the academic year. Lab field trips on DNA restriction and transformation supported the rapid implementation of these experiments in AP Biology classes on Long Island. The DNALC has also helped teachers implement PCR-based experiments to examine human DNA polymorphisms.
Learn More About Field Trips
Activities
| Observing Mutant Organisms | Grades 5-6 |
| DNA Extraction from Wheat Germ | Grades 5-8 |
| The Mystery of Anastasia | Grades 5-8 |
| Bacteria and Antibiotics | Grades 6-7 |
| Better Milk for Cats | Grades 6-7 |
| Glowing Genes | Grades 6-8 |
| Gene Therapy | Grades 7-8 |
| DNA Fingerprint (MS) / (HS) | Grades 7-12 |
| DNA Restriction Analysis | Grades 8-12 |
| Bacterial Transformation | Grades 8-12 |
| Detecting a Jumping Gene | Grades 10-12 |
| Human Mitochondrial Sequencing | Grades 10-12 |
Lab to Tennessee Academic Standards for Science
| DNA Extraction from Wheat Germ | 7.LS1.1, 8.LS1.2 |
| The Mystery of Anastasia (Computer Simulation) | 8.LS3.1, 8.LS3.2 |
| Observing Mutant Organisms | 8.LS3.2, 8.LS4.1 |
| Bacteria and Antibiotics | 8.LS4.2, 8.LS4.4 |
| Better Milk for Cats (Lactase Enzyme Lab) | 7.LS1.3, 8.LS3.2 |
| Glowing Genes (GFP Transformation) | 8.ETS2.3, 8.LS3.1 |
| DNA Fingerprint | 8.LS3.1, 8.ETS2.3 |
| Gene Therapy | 8.ETS2.3, 8.LS3.2 |
| DNA Fingerprint | HS.LS3.1, HS.ETS2.3 |
| DNA Restriction Analysis | HS.LS3.1, HS.ETS2.1 |
| Bacterial Transformation | HS.LS3.1, HS.ETS2.2 |
| Detecting a Jumping Gene | HS.LS3.3, HS.LS1.1 |
| Human Mitochondrial Sequencing | HS.LS3.2, HS.LS4.1 |
Science Camps
We welcome students to join the fun while engaging in a high-level scientific lab experience at academic summer camps. We will offer three Science Camps.
Fun with DNA
Fun with DNA is an entry-level course in DNA science. This camp is designed especially for highly motivated students interested in expanding their knowledge of basic genetics and cell biology. Students are immersed in an environment of hands-on activities and laboratory experiments designed to increase genetic literacy, encourage critical and creative thinking, and spark interest in the field of biotechnology.
Learn More About Fun with DNA
DNA Science
The DNA Science curriculum introduces high school and college students with little or no research experience in molecular genetics to the elegant tools of modern biotechnology, and is centered around laboratory work. Each experiment acts as a stepping stone for the next. Students begin with the basic techniques of DNA restriction, transformation, and isolation; then apply them to the construction and analysis of a simple recombinant.
Learn More About DNA Science
DNA Barcoding
A short “DNA barcode” (about 700 nucleotides in length) is a unique pattern of DNA sequence that can potentially identify any living thing. DNA barcoding projects allow students to link molecular genetics to ecology and evolution—with the potential to contribute new scientific knowledge about biodiversity, conservation biology, and human effects on the environment.
Learn More About DNA Barcoding
Resources
Multimedia library for website, apps and textbooks, biology animations and DNA videos.
Online educational programming to engage educators, students, and the public.
About Us
The Meharry DNA Learning Center is a regional hub for genomics education, community engagement, and inclusive science—located on the historic campus of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. We are proud to be the first DNALC in the Southeastern U.S. and the first based at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). As part of the international DNA Learning Center network led by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, we bring hands-on molecular biology and genetics learning to students, teachers, and community members—helping to ensure that all voices are represented in the future of science.
Our Home at Meharry
Founded in 1876, Meharry Medical College is one of the nation’s oldest and most distinguished historically Black academic health science centers. The DNA Learning Center builds on Meharry’s enduring mission to serve the underserved by preparing future scientists, clinicians, and community leaders to drive innovation and equity in biomedical science. Learn more about Meharry Medical College
Mission
The Meharry Medical College DNA Learning Center inspires a love of science through hands-on genetics education for all students, while intentionally expanding access for those historically underrepresented in STEM. As the first DNALC based at an HBCU, we cultivate curiosity, confidence, and belonging—helping students imagine futures in science, while supporting educators with professional development and engaging communities through inclusive, science-centered experiences.
Vision
Our vision is to inspire every student to see themselves in science by creating transformative learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and open pathways to future opportunity.
Advancing Equity Through Genomics
Our work is grounded in partnership with the Together for Change initiative, a national collaboration supported by Regeneron, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and the Diaspora Human Genomics Initiative (DHGI). Together for Change supports the establishment of DNALCs in historically excluded communities, building new educational pipelines that center equity, inclusion, and access.
The Diaspora Human Genomics Institute (DHGI) was established with the mission to improve the quality of the human condition and its environment, with a particular focus on persons of African ancestry. Chartered by Meharry Medical College as a Tennessee nonprofit, the DHGI is the governing body for the Together for CHANGE initiative.
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