Mr. Lwin and DNA Barcode Team members collect samples on Governors Island.

CYD is proud to support the DNA Barcode Team at MCNDHS, which is currently investigating the DNA of the bees of Governors Island. Alfred Lwin, a science teacher at the school who has been mentoring its DNA Barcode Team for 14 years, supervised the student project.

The Team isolates DNA samples with microcentrifuge machines at City Tech.

With the wild bee population in a worldwide decline, students set out to determine what varieties of bees exist on Governors Island, one of NYC’s purest microclimates, and might be transferrable to other areas. They collected live specimens, preserved them at school, and went to City Tech’s Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center to isolate and purify DNA samples using microcentrifuge machines. The team sent out the samples and will enter the results in a worldwide DNA database. Lwin has been impressed with the students’ dedication to the project amid the demands of schoolwork and part-time jobs. He also continues to supervise the student BioBuilders team, which is currently seeking funding for a research project exploring a potential antimicrobial agent for multi-drug-resistant bacteria.