Subsequently they go to CityLab, where they learn and apply concepts and techniques necessary to solve the problems. Course names are deliberately catchy, and topics are intriguing, even for the less scientifically inclined students. In this popular mystery, students explore the molecular basis of sickle cell anemia, a genetic disease that primarily affects African Americans. Electrophoresis is used as a diagnostic tool to differentiate sickle cell hemoglobin from normal hemoglobin. The Case of the Crown Jewels .
Students learn about DNA fingerprinting.
They use the technique to solve forensic or medical mysteries such as determining the identities of persons leaving blood or body fluids at crime scenes or establishing paternity. According to Dr. Carl Franzblau, principal investigator of the CityLab project and dean of Boston University's graduate school, this module is extremely popular because of high-profile cases shown on television. Entangled in the Web . Spider silk production is presented as an example of how bacteria containing foreign genes can be used in industry. The Crucial Concentration .