Unidentified specimens/backlog project
Students from Cothill House were involved in a number the 'Backlog' project in collaboration with NHM Scientists. This project was put together because there are 1000s of specimens at the NHM that remain to be identified even to family level! The students learned about herbarium specimens and collections at the NHM and about the importance of DNA analyses for helping to identify species.
The students helped in the process of identifying some specimens (DNA extractions from leaf material, PCR and gel electrophoresis) and we have found some interesting results.