Fungi are eukaryotic organisms commonly found in soils and can act as pathogens, leading to diseases in plants, animals, and humans. Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection prevalent in arid and semi-arid areas. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that the distribution of this fungus may be shifting due to changing environmental conditions. During this workshop, participants will: Explore the ecological role of fungi and learn about Valley Fever's genetic links to specific populations. Engage in a role-playing exercise as researchers conducting a collaborative study to test soil samples for the Coccidioides fungus. Understand the procedures for extracting and amplifying fungal DNA samples. Perform agarose gel electrophoresis using MiniOne equipment to check for the presence of Coccidioides in soil samples. Analyze group data to identify areas with high rates of Valley Fever infections. Discuss how climate change affects the spread of fungi and the occurrence of Valley Fever. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions to minimize fungal infections. Discover teaching strategies to inspire students and incorporate an engaging biotechnology narrative
