DIY Genetic Analysis Class: Are You a Day/Night Person?

​Are you a night owl or day lark? Do you get grumpy waking up early or are you fresh when the sun rises?

​Those behaviors are associated with certain genes that influence your circadian rhythm to figure out your chronotype.

​Students will test their own genotypes at the circadian clock gene Per3 that has been associated with sleep behavior preferences in humans. This gene’s coding region contains a VNTR (variable number tandem repeat) that is polymorphic (variable) across individuals.  Different variants of this VNTR in Per3 have been associated with a preference for evening or morning activity–whether you are a morning or evening type. Students will assess their own Per3 genotypes, while also assessing their sleep phenotypes through a simple circadian questionnaire, with the ultimate goal of learning about circadian clocks and the study of genetic associations. Participate in an authentic open inquiry investigation on the genetic underpinnings of sleep.

• ​Techniques: Micropipetting, DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis

• ​Topics: Circadian rhythms, genetic inheritance, genotype to phenotype, genetic associations, biotechnology

• ​Level: Advanced high school through college