yEvo is an authentic research experience designed for high school students to observe the process of evolution in their classrooms using yeast as a model organism. This project was created by the Dunham Lab at University of Washington Genome Sciences. More info on the overall program can be found on their website yEVO.org. SEP is currently supporting yEvo's Azole Resistance Module 4: Fitness Competition/ Yeast Madness.
Overview
The researchers at the Dunham Lab at UW have been carrying out experimental evolutions with lab strains of S. cerevisiae that express vibrant pigments and thus each have a distinct color. Because of these colors, relative abundance of each strain in a mixed culture can be determined by counting colony forming units (CFUs) and calculating the ratio of colors . This approach can be used to determine whether yeast with different colors are better adapted to a particular environment. Students can use these colors in a competition experiment, which will allow them to determine which yeast from their experiments are best-adapted to the antifungal drug. To do this, students will first grow the yeast with different colors in a medium that does not contain the antifungal. Student will then mix these strains in media containing the antifungal drug Azole so that they will compete for resources. They will then plate these mixed cultures onto agar media. After a few days of growth, they can count the ratio of colors on each plate to determine which strain “won” the competition in each concentration
Details:
1 Lesson plan
SEP Teachers-Only Quick Links
These links are for SEP teachers who are part of the kit loan program. To become a part of the kit loan program you must complete the 3 week professional development program.
SEP supports the lab activity materials for the yEvo module called Yeast Madness. If you are interested in implementing other yEvo modules with your class, reach out to the yEvo team at yEvo.org.
We support four versions of Yeast Madness that vary in total time needed to complete the lab:
- Full Yeast Madness: Complete each strain on the bracket (3-4 weeks).
- Melee: Compete 4-6 strains at once (1-2 weeks).
- Final Four: Round 1 and melee battle of the final four (2 weeks).
- No plating/ liquid only: Compete without plating. Determine the winner by the color of the liquid culture (1-3 week).
When requesting the kit or supplies, please designate which version you plan to do with your class.