Biology + Data
Compare a DNA sequence across species with free tools
Download one gene from six species, align the sequences and build an evolutionary tree.
- DifficultyAdvanced
- Estimated time1–2 weeks
- Budget₹0
- ClassClass 12 to college
- TeamSolo or up to 2
- You needComputer only
Prerequisites: DNA, genes and proteins; basic spreadsheet use
Original · by TechnifyedData AnalysisResearch ProjectFree to doComputer onlyResearch orientedWell documentedTwo subjects
Overview
Public databases hold the gene sequences of thousands of species. Comparing one shared gene, such as cytochrome c, across species shows how closely related they are.
Why build this?
It is real research-grade biology with nothing but a browser, and a strong first step into bioinformatics.
What you will learn
- How sequence databases are organised
- What an alignment shows
- How similarity relates to evolutionary distance
- How to read and question a tree
Skills you will use
Materials and tools
- Computer with internet
- Free NCBI database and BLAST tools
Tools and software
Step-by-step roadmap
Start
You will finish with: an alignment, a difference matrix and a tree with a paragraph interpreting it.
- 1
Prerequisites
Know this first: dNA, genes and proteins; basic spreadsheet use. Then collect the 2 items in the materials list.
- 2
Learn
- How sequence databases are organised
- What an alignment shows
- How similarity relates to evolutionary distance
- How to read and question a tree
- 3
Plan
Write the research question, who or what you will study, how many, and the exact questions or measures.
- 4
Build
- Find the cytochrome c protein sequence for human in the NCBI protein database.
- Find the same protein for chimpanzee, mouse, chicken, zebrafish and yeast.
- Run a multiple sequence alignment with a free online tool.
- Count the differences between each pair and build a distance table.
- Generate a tree from the alignment.
- Compare the tree with the accepted classification.
- 5
Test
Human and chimpanzee should show the fewest differences; yeast the most.
- 6
Document
Keep the raw responses or data safe, anonymise names, and build the tables and charts. Report structure
- 7
Present
State the question, the method in one line, the two or three main findings and their limits. Presentation structure · Viva questions
- 8
Publish
Share a short paper or poster; offer a summary to the people who took part.
Expected outcome
An alignment, a difference matrix and a tree with a paragraph interpreting it.
Other versions of this project
Beginner version
Compare only human, mouse and chicken by counting differences by eye.
Advanced version
Repeat with a second gene and check whether both trees agree.
Research version
Choose a gene linked to a trait (such as lactase) and compare variants between populations using published data.
Make this project better
- BasicCompare only human, mouse and chicken by counting differences by eye.
- This projectCompare a DNA sequence across species with free tools
- AdvancedRepeat with a second gene and check whether both trees agree.
- ResearchChoose a gene linked to a trait (such as lactase) and compare variants between populations using published data.
Research mode
Text marked "You write this" is a prompt for your own work; everything else is specific to this project.
- Research question
- You write thisOne question you can answer with data, narrow enough to finish in the time you have.
- Hypothesis
- You write thisWhat you expect to find, and why.
- Variables
- You write thisWhat you change or compare, what you measure, and what you hold constant.
- Methodology
- Choose a gene linked to a trait (such as lactase) and compare variants between populations using published data.
- Data collection
- You write thisSay what you will record, how many times, and how you will keep the records safe.
- Analysis
- You write thisChoose the table, chart or test that answers the question; report averages with their spread.
- Limitations
- You write thisList what could have affected the result: small sample, instrument limits, things you could not control.
Literature review
Find five to eight sources (your textbook, review articles, reports) and note what each says about your question. Group them by idea, not one after another, and end with what is still not known.
References
List every source you used in one style throughout (author, year, title, where it was published, link and the date you opened it).
Working as a team
Solo or up to 2. Suggested roles:
Report and presentation
Report structure
- Title
- Abstract
- Introduction and research question
- Review of what is already known
- Method: sample, tools, procedure
- Findings (tables and charts)
- Discussion
- Limitations
- Conclusion and suggestions
- References
- Annexure: questionnaire or data
Presentation structure
- Research question
- Why it matters
- Method and sample
- Finding 1
- Finding 2
- Finding 3
- What it means
- Limitations
- Conclusion
Viva questions
Try answering before you open each one.
What is BLAST?
A tool that finds sequences similar to a query in a database.
Why use cytochrome c?
Almost all organisms have it and it changes slowly, so it is easy to compare.
What does a shorter branch mean?
Fewer differences and a more recent common ancestor.
Can one gene give the full evolutionary history?
No, different genes can give slightly different trees.
Resources
Source and attribution
Original
Written by Technifyed. Free to use for your own school or college project; write the report in your own words. Added 1 Oct 2026.
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