Biology meets industry – genomics, proteomics, phenomics
Activities
National Human Genome Research Institute (USA)
The ethical, legal and social implications of genetic knowledge – using a number of vignettes, students learn about using logical guidelines to evaluate information and arguments used in decision-making about genetic information.
Genetic timeline – students construct a timeline that allows them to see how technology, and specifically biotechnology, affects the progress of scientific discoveries.
Genetic Science Learning Center (University of Utah, USA)
Transcribe and translate a gene – students transcribe a gene and translate it into a protein in this interactive activity. (uses Macromedia Flash)
Discover how proteins function – students learn how scientists determine the function of protein.
Build a gel electrophoresis chamber – illustrated instructions for building an apparatus that is widely used in molecular biology laboratories. Experiments using the chamber can be found at Colorful electrophoresis.
Biotechnology Australia
Using a gene probe – an interactive online activity in which students work through the steps of extracting a cell and treating the DNA in it, and then use a gene probe to find out which of the organism's chromosomes carries a particular gene.
Science NetLinks (American Association for the Advancement of Science)
DNA chips – explores issues surrounding DNA microarray technology.
Page updated November 2006.