One Shade Too Dark

--- tale of condensed tannins in faba bean seed coats　

Group Category: 7-9

Team Size: 1

Subject Area: Biology

Project Type: Experimental

Language: English

Summary:

     In my project I conducted a molecular and chemical assessment on the diversity of 16 faba bean lines. My intention was to determine the genetic similarities and differences of those faba bean lines; and to find out which precursor, catechin or epicatechin, exists in the seed coat of these faba beans that accounts for making condensed tannins.

Software Tools:

     Microsoft Word     Microsoft PowerPoint   Microsoft FrontPage    Microsoft Excel     NTSys software

Hardware Tools:

     Digital Camera     Computer     PCR thermocycler     spectrophotometer     centrifuge     gel electrophoresis

Source of Idea:   

     I have always been interested in biotechnology and agriculture. I met a mentor through the Sanofi-Aventis Biotech Challenge and then we decided to fingerprint faba beans. The project eventually evolved from there.

Awards:

      This project won an award at the Saskatoon Regional Science Fair for the best Junior Biotechnology project and a travel award to Saquenay, Quebec to attend the 2006 Canada-Wide Science Fair in May. 

      This project also won the top prize in the junior category at the Saskatoon Sanofi-Aventis Biotech Challenge.