Animal Cloning 101

Learn about clones and explore the methods scientists use to create clones in the lab in this interactive activity from the Dolan DNA Learning Center.

Can We Slow Aging?

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, scientists discuss a family of genes called FOXO that can significantly extend life span in worms—and in humans.

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Desirable Breeding Traits in Cattle

This video from Nature offers a description of desirable traits in beef and dairy cattle.

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Different Breeds of Cattle

In this video segment from Nature, learn about six different breeds of cattle.

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DNA Extraction

This interactive activity adapted from the University of Nebraska's Plant and Soil Sciences eLibrary illustrates how DNA, which is normally locked inside of cells, is extracted from living tissue.

DNA Libraries

This interactive resource adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center explores the different types of DNA libraries used to store and access genetic information.

DNA Separation Lab in the Classroom and in Real-World Research

This video produced by WGBH features students in the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program preparing a recombinant DNA molecule, and examines how this work relates to the way real-life scientists approach similar work.

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Electrophoresis and Gel Analysis

In this animation produced by WGBH and Digizyme, Inc., see how molecules of DNA are separated using gel electrophoresis, and how this process enables scientists to compare the molecular variations of two or more DNA samples.

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Eluting Red Fluorescent Protein From the Column

This video produced by WGBH demonstrates how to properly elute a red fluorescent protein after it has been bound in a chromatography column.

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The Ethics of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

In this video excerpt from NOVA, learn about the advantages, disadvantages, and ethical implications of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or PGD, a technique used to screen embryos created through in vitro fertilization for diseases.

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Gene Cloning

This interactive activity adapted from the University of Nebraska's Library of Crop Technologies details the steps involved in producing clones of genes that can then be used to transform the characteristics of an organism.

Genetically Engineering the Avian Flu

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about a radical biotechnology experiment aimed at figuring out how to stop the avian flu virus.

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Genetic Art

Take a peek at the artistic side of science in this virtual exhibit, featuring work by Eva Sutton, Alexis Rockman and Sidney Harris.

Genetic Engineering and Working with DNA

In this animation produced by WGBH and Digizyme, Inc., see how bacterial plasmids are engineered to clone or express genes that code for proteins such as human insulin.

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Growing Bacterial Cultures

This animation produced by WGBH and Digizyme, Inc. demonstrates the techniques researchers use to isolate transformed bacteria and expand their population in order to obtain large quantities of a protein of interest.

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How to Conquer a Genetic Disease

In Blazing a Genetic Trail, by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, follow this three-step approach to treating genetic diseases.

Loading a Gel

This video produced by WGBH provides step-by-step instructions for loading samples into an agarose gel.

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Loading a Micropipette

This video produced by WGBH demonstrates how to load correctly a micropipette and dispense a solution.

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Longevity Genes

What is the secret to a long life? Hear from scientists using biotechnology to analyze relationships between specific genes and longevity in this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW.

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Lysing

This video produced by WGBH provides step-by-step instructions for performing a lyses reaction to break open transformed cells.

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Making an Agarose Gel

This video adapted from the University of Leicester demonstrates the step-by-step process of making and pouring an agarose gel, a key component in gel electrophoresis.

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Mixing Two Solutions

This video produced by WGBH provides step-by-step instructions on how to mix two sample solutions.

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Picking a Colony From a Plate

This video produced by WGBH illustrates how to prepare an overnight culture of transformed E. coli cells.

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Plating

This video produced by WGBH details the steps to plate transformed bacterial cells on an agar plate.

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Polymerase Chain Reaction

This interactive activity adapted from the University of Nebraska's Library of Crop Technologies depicts steps in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique and explains how it is used to efficiently copy sections of DNA for analysis.

Pouring an Agarose Gel

This video produced by WGBH demonstrates the step-by-step process of pouring an agarose gel into a casting tray.

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Preparing a Column

This video produced by WGBH shows a properly prepared column and demonstrates how to apply and run a solution.

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Protein Purification

This animation produced by WGBH and Digizyme, Inc. demonstrates how a protein of interest is isolated from other contents in a transformed bacterial cell—a process called purification—using a lab technique called hydrophobic interaction chromatography.

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Protein Purification Lab in the Classroom and in Real-World Research

This video produced by WGBH features students in the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program purifying a protein, and also examines the motivations people have for choosing a career in science.

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Recombinant DNA Lab in the Classroom and in Real-World Research

This video produced by WGBH features students in the Amgen-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program inserting a recombinant DNA molecule into bacterial cells, and illustrates how industry and academic scientists use the exact same techniques.

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Restoration of the American Chestnut

This KET video segment from Kentucky Life describes how scientists control pollination of one of the few remaining American chestnut trees to develop blight resistant trees.

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Reverse Evolution Machine

In this video adapted from KQED's QUEST, learn how scientist David Haussler is using biotechnology to reconstruct ancient genomes in an effort to find out how animals have evolved over time.

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RNAi Discovered

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn how RNAi, a mechanism that has evolved in cells to prevent viral infection, was discovered and how it works.

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RNAi Therapy

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about RNAi's potential to treat a wide range of genetic and infectious diseases.

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Running an Agarose Gel

This video adapted from the University of Leicester provides step-by-step instructions for loading samples into an agarose gel and then running the gel to separate DNA molecules according to their size.

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Super Salmon

This video segment from FRONTLINE/NOVA: "Harvest of Fear" explores genetic modification of salmon and possible consequences.

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Synthetic Biologist Karmella Haynes

In this video produced for Teachers' Domain, meet researcher Karmella Haynes, a synthetic biologist who is using biotechnology to create living "devices" that help visualize how cancer develops.

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Therapeutic Uses of Stem Cells

This interactive activity adapted from the HHMI Outreach Program at Harvard University explores the many potential uses of stem cells to treat and cure disease.

Transforming Bacteria

This animation produced by WGBH and Digizyme, Inc. demonstrates the experimental technique used to introduce DNA plasmids inside bacterial cells, a process called bacterial transformation.

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Transforming Competent Cells

Learn how to perform a bacterial transformation by splitting and mixing competent cells, and then adding a ligated plasmid in this video produced by WGBH.

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Unclogging a Column

This video produced by WGBH demonstrates how to redistribute the resin in a column if there is particulate matter blocking the sieve.

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Understanding Gene Testing

In this article by the National Cancer Institute and the National Center for Human Genome Research, find answers to your questions about genetic testing.

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Using a Micropipette

This video adapted from the University of Leicester demonstrates the proper use of different-sized micropipettes to measure precise volumes of liquid in the lab.

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Using an Electrophoresis Box

This video produced by WGBH shows how to prepare an agarose gel for electrophoresis.

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