In September 2025, Mendoza, Argentina, once again became a meeting point for educators and researchers committed to expanding access to molecular biology education across Latin America. Hosted at the National University of Cuyo (UNCuyo), two consecutive Reclone workshops brought together high school educators and university instructors for intensive hands-on training focused on accessible, open-source biotechnology tools.
Together, these workshops trained 42 participants from across the region, strengthening local capacity to teach and apply molecular biology using affordable and adaptable technologies.
Bringing Molecular Biology into the High School Classroom
The Hands-on Science for High School Educators Workshop, held on September 25th and 26th, welcomed 23 teachers and science communicators from Mendoza Province for a practical training designed to make molecular biology more accessible in secondary education.
Participants learned simplified protocols for DNA extraction and PCR, focusing on approaches that can be implemented in school laboratory settings with limited infrastructure. The workshop emphasized adapting open-source tools and protocols for educational use, helping teachers translate complex laboratory techniques into meaningful classroom experiences.
Beyond technical training, the workshop created space for educators to exchange ideas about science teaching, curriculum integration, and strategies to engage students through hands-on experimentation.
Training Multipliers in University Education
From September 29th to 30th, the Advanced Hands-on Science for University Educators Workshop brought together 19 researchers and professors representing six countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, and Peru.
This workshop focused on the use of open-source PCR hardware combined with cellular reagents, enabling participants to run molecular biology workflows using locally producible tools and reagents. By working directly with these systems, participants gained both technical experience and confidence to adapt the technologies to their own institutional contexts.
A key goal of the workshop was to strengthen the Reclone network by supporting participants as regional multipliers: educators who can train students, colleagues, and laboratories in their home institutions. This multiplier effect is essential for expanding equitable access to molecular biology infrastructure across Latin America.
Building Capacity Through Education and Collaboration
Together, these two workshops highlight how education, open science, and community collaboration can reinforce one another. By supporting both high school and university educators, Reclone helps build a continuous pathway for biotechnology learning, from early exposure in classrooms to advanced training in research environments.
As participants return to their institutions across Latin America, they carry not only new technical skills but also the shared commitment to making biotechnology tools more accessible, adaptable, and locally sustainable.
The hands-on training for high school teachers was expertly coordinated by a dedicated team from UNCuyo: Mariángeles Ávila, Antonella Losinno, Vanessa Gaona, and Emilce Vázquez led the local organization and lab facilitation. The workshop on open hardware and cellular reagents was led by the Chile Node team: Fernan Federici, Severine Cazaux, Valentina Ferrando, and Alejandro Aravena, with the support of collaborators from reGOSH (Red Latinoamericana de Tecnologías Libres).
We are deeply grateful to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) for providing the funding that made these workshops possible, enabling us to bring together participants from across Latin America. The second event also received valuable support from CYTED, through the work of the Relarus Network within Reclone, further strengthening regional collaboration and advancing our shared mission of making essential research tools more accessible across the continent. Our sincere thanks also go to the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo) for once again generously hosting our events and providing access to their innovation facilities.
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