For the second year in a row, Dennis Brown has won the Genome Alberta Elementary Award at the Calgary Youth Science Fair.  Considering that there are probably close to 500 elementary students participating in the fair, I think it is a considerable achievement by Dennis to have been selected the winner of our prize two consecutive years. I asked Dennis to tell me a little about his experiences and project. Here is what he said:

Hello Mr. Ward,
My name is Dennis Brown. At the CYSF, you awarded me with the Genome Alberta Elementary Award - Top Elementary Award Dealing with Biology and Impacts of Genetics. When you awarded me with the keeper plaque, I was very happy and excited!

I'm now going to give you a paragraph about my project Topoisom - Erase - The Knot:

I undertook this project to research DNA and knots and discover how the DNA knots come untangled. I researched the Mathematical theory of knots, History of DNA and knots, DNA and Genes, Replication and Interphase, RNA and DNA, Transcription, Topoisomerase enzymes,Topo inhibitors, and also World wide research. I found out that the first knot in DNA was discovered in 1984. I discovered that knots with three or more crossings can never be untangled without being cut. I also learned that there is an enzyme called topoisomerase (topo) that breaks the DNA strand to allow the DNA to pass through itself and unknot. I discovered that researchers are researching all over the world about topoisomerase enzymes and their inhibitors. I learned that there are special drugs called topo inhibitors that stop the topoisomerase enzyme from doing its job, and is used as antibacterial and cancer-fighting drugs. My research confirmed my thesis that I believe that topoisomerase enzymes assist in untangling DNA knots.
Thank you very much for awarding me with the Genome Alberta Elementary Award - Top Elementary Award Dealing with Biology and Impacts of Genetics! I really appreciate it!!!

I look forward to seeing your updated website!!!

Dennis Brown =)