An integrated course stressing the principles of biology. Life processes are examined primarily at the molecular and cellular levels. Intended for students majoring in biology or for non-majors who wish to take advanced biology courses.

This exercise allows students to investigate the genetic control of a biosynthetic pathway: the production of the red pigment prodigiosin by the bacterium Serratia marcescens. The students perform feeding trials with mutant strains to examine the genetic control of this biosynthetic pathway. Auxotrophic strains of the bacteria which are blocked at different places in the pathway exhibit different colors, the wild-type is a deep red color. Pairwise feeding trials enable the students to determine which strains are blocked at which point in the pathway. Students will then use an explanatory system to determine the pathway's shape and learn about its genetic control.

This OLogy reference list has seven kid-friendly books on genetics. A short description is given for each title, along with author name and publisher. The list includes: illustrated looks at cells, genes, and DNA, hands-on activities and solve-it-yourself mysteries, and easy-to-understand and thought-provoking explorations of cloning and genetic engineering.

This online article, from the museum's Musings newsletter for educators, looks at the fully functional Genetics Laboratory that was part of the exhibition The Genomic Revolution. It discusses: the significance of the recent sequencing of the human genome in a historical perspective the process visitors underwent during their hour-and-a-half visit to the lab, where they extracted, isolated, visualized, and sequenced their DNA the follow-up activities for visitors on the AMNH Web site.

In this lab activity students isolate genomic DNA from their cheek cells on the inside of their mouths. Students then remove the DNA from those cheek cells. It shows the DNA is in every cell in the body and can be extracted easily. Students use their DNA necklace which they proudly wear around school the rest of the day.

Students are given a problem about a relatively new treatment for cancer, Gleevec, and asked to apply and synthesize what they have learned about cell signaling and the eukaryotic cell cycle to explain why this targeted treatment works to prevent cell division with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapeutic agents.

In this intimate debate case, students consider whether to support the development and use of Golden Rice as a means to alleviate vitamin A deficiency in the developing world. Since many of the arguments typically raised against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) do not apply to this particular GM crop, students are forced to analyze the facts rather than rely on what they have heard in the media. Developed for an introductory molecular biology undergraduate course, the case could also be used at more senior levels.

This database contains a wide range of resources--from lesson plans and detailed curricula to tutorials, animations and laboratory exercises--for educators at all levels. You can search these resources by topic, type, or target audience.

This activity is a lab investigation in which students design and conduct experiments using pineapple juice containing the enzyme bromelain and its affect on the substrate gelatin found in Jell-O. The focus of student driven investigations are on enzyme specificity, activity and the impact of environmental factors on enzyme functioning. Based on the original activities from School Improvement in Maryland; "Pineapple/Jell-O Lab," Access Excellence Activities Exchange; "Enzyme Labs Using Jell-O" by Anne McDonald and Michael O'Hare, and AP & Regents Biology; "Lab 8: Pineapple Enzymes and Jell-O Molds" by Kim B. Foglia.

In this video segment adapted from NOVA: Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial, learn how modern genetics and molecular biology offer compelling support for evolution. The video features an interview with biologist Ken Miller.

This experiment uses polymerase chain reaction to demonstrate the polymorphic nature of human DNA. Students obtain samples of their own DNA using a simple mouthwash procedure. PCR is used to amplify a noncoding region of chromosome 1 that contains a repeated DNA sequence. The number of times the sequence repeats can vary from person to person, resulting in a polymorphism. Following amplification, student samples are electrophoresed, stained, and photographed. Each student will see one or two bands in their gel lane, indicating whether they are homozygous or heterozygous for that region of chromosome 1. This experiment is adapted from Advanced DNA Science: An Introduction to Methods of Genome Analysis by Mark V. Bloom, Greg A. Freyer, and David A. Micklos (copyright 1993 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Carolina Biological Supply Company); polymerase chain reaction is covered by patents owned by Hoffman La Roche.

Human embryonic development depends on stem cells. During the course of development, cells divide, migrate, and specialize. Early in development, a group of cells called the Inner Cell Mass (ICM) forms. These cells are able to produce all the tissues of the body. Later in development, during gastrulation, the three germ layers form, and most cells become more restricted in the types of cells that they can produce.

Monoclonal antitubulin antibodies produced in mice will be used to label bull sperm microtubules and the location of these antibodies will be determined by use of a peroxidase conjugated secondary antibody and the DAB staining reaction. Protocols are presented for use in a second-year student laboratory class given in a multi-section (repeated) format. These protocols include those for preparation of poly-L-lysine coated slides and of bull sperm, as well as those for immunocytochemistry, using the DAB reaction.

Genomics and bioinformatics have revolutionized biology over the past few years, but their impact on education has lagged. A new revolution is possible in the undergraduate curriculum. We have found novel ways to incorporate genomics research into the laboratory components of several courses. In this chapter, we show how we accomplish the typical skill development goals in a genetics or molecular biology course while accomplishing novel research, and provide the protocols for three such research projects that can be modified to suit the course goals or the instructor's research interests.

"The Inner Life of the Cell," an eight-minute animation with narration, combines a range of current scientific models with visually engaging, intricate images to create a feel for the molecular workings and complex interactions of a cell.

This PBS documentary provides an overview of the microbial world and offers an exciting glimpse into the field of microbiology. Meet scientists from around the world investigating the microbial world in diverse locations, from a termite's stomach to a hospital operating room to an African village, and even outer space. These programs - including The Tree of Life, Keepers of the Biosphere, Dangerous Friends and Friendly Enemies, and Creators of the Future - increase the microbial literacy of students, the general public, and biotechnology workers. The site also contains an interactive Game of Life, classroom resources for grades K-12, and information about the companion book published by ASM Press.

In this laboratory exercise students will learn how to: (a) Isolate DNA from individual sturgeon and other fish eggs (available at any local deli that sells caviar) using the DNAzol method, (b) Set up control and species-specific PCR reactions using primers that have been developed for DNA from sturgeon species and (c) Use electrophoresis and methylene blue and/or ethidium bromide staining to visualize the PCR products. This laboratory exercise would allow students to contribute to a growing DNA database on endangered species.

The MIT Biology Department core courses, 7.012, 7.013, and 7.014, all cover the same core material, which includes the fundamental principles of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and cell biology. Biological function at the molecular level is particularly emphasized and covers the structure and regulation of genes, as well as, the structure and synthesis of proteins, how these molecules are integrated into cells, and how these cells are integrated into multicellular systems and organisms. In addition, each version of the subject has its own distinctive material.

In this laboratory students perform three exercises as an introduction to the basics of handling and analyzing DNA. In the first, they expose circular plasmid, linear phage, and high molecular weight genomic DNA samples to a variety of physical, thermal, chemical, and enzymatic conditions that might be expected to affect DNA integrity. The DNA's are analyzed by electrophoresis on a group agarose gel. In the second, they pour and reconstruct a "Frankengel" (a gel containing sections with three different agarose concentrations) on which they run a DNA ladder in order to investigate the effect of gel pore size on DNA fragment mobility. In the third, they perform an UV spectrophotometric analysis of DNA from which they learn to make purity and concentration estimates.