Check This Out! Hands-On Genetics Research

What does it take to study a disease that can take away a person’s ability to walk?

In this Duke University biology course, undergraduate students are doing real research — dissecting fruit flies, imaging neurons, and investigating how genetic mutations affect the connections between nerves and muscles. Their work focuses on Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive loss of movement.

This isn’t a simulation. It’s hands-on science, where failure, repetition, and discovery are all part of the process — and where even small findings can contribute to a deeper understanding of human disease. The course, Experiments in Animal Models of Human Neurodegenerative Disease, is led by Emily Ozdowski, associate director of undergraduate studies in biology, and Nina Sherwood, associate professor of the practice of biology.

Two students examining a test tube.
Senior Nya Prejean and junior Isaac Toscano analyze fruit fly larvae.
Two students, one standing, and one is sitting looking through a microscope
The course builds real life lab skills, such as microscopy. Co-course professor Emily Ozdowdki (right) works with senior Emma Podol.
A teacher on the right is talking with students to her left
Co-course professor Nina Sherwood checks in with a student researcher, junior Auggie Poysungnoen.
Two people are looking closely at a microscope
Ozdowski and junior Yimeng Yuan zoom in on a microscope image.
Students wearing gloves are handling lab materials
Seniors Nya Prejean (left) Devon Tonneson get ready to analyze fruit fly larvae.