Establishing the Lakota Omics Laboratory for Student Research and K-12 Outreach — 29a — Ron Campbell

There is a lack of biotechnology resources for the Oglala Lakota Oyate despite great community interest in developing sustainable solutions to address environmental problems and foster economic growth. No significant biotech lab equipment or course work is available on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and high school students are not typically exposed to laboratory science to help build STEM identity. To address these limitations, we have equipped the Lakota Omics Laboratory at OLC to perform basic biotechnology research and established plant DNA extraction protocols to enable K-12, undergraduate, and citizen science. 

We purchased and set up equipment including centrifuges, gel boxes and imager, nanodrop spectrophotometer, and thermocycler. To train student researchers and troubleshoot new equipment, students gathered leaf samples of four plant species from the Piya Wiconi campus: Pediomelum esculentum (prairie turnip, timpsila), Psoralidum tenuiflorum (slimflower scurfpea), Verbena stricta (hoary verbena), and Melilotus officinalis (yellow field clover). Leaf samples were gathered using sterile technique and frozen prior to DNA extraction. Up to 100mg leaf material was processed for each extraction using Qiagen DNEasy Plant Pro kits. Resulting DNA was assayed for concentration and purity with a DeNovix DS-11FX+ nanodrop spectrophotometer/fluorometer. Select samples that yielded quality DNA were visualized by gel electrophoresis to determine fragment sizes (Bio-Rad Gel-Doc Go). 

DNA extractions for P. esculentum resulted in low quantity and quality of DNA relative to P. tenuiflorum and M officinalis. We hypothesize this is due to sampling plants relatively late in the season in July when plants are beginning to senesce. A lesson plan was developed based on ninth-grade state science standards, incorporating cultural connections through traditional medicinal plants. The LOL at OLC is operational, and DNA extraction methods will be utilized in K-12 education and student research in the coming year.

Oglala Lakota College
Dr. Nick Klein