All in the Family

This video from the series Faces of America details the process of documenting family history and tracing lineage back through maternal and paternal lines.

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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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The Common Genetic Code

Paul Nurse describes his research that showed that humans share some genes with organisms as different from us as simple brewer's yeast. Footage from Secret of Life: "Immortal Thread."

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The Costs and Benefits of Treating Gene Defects

In this video excerpt from NOVA, find out how whole genome sequencing saved the life of Alexis, a fraternal twin who was originally diagnosed with cerebral palsy but, in fact, had an even rarer genetic condition.

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Create a DNA Fingerprint

Learn DNA profiling, the technique police use to catch the guilty and free the innocent. From NOVA: "The Killer's Trail" Web site.

Dab of DNA Helps Keep Counterfeiters at Bay

Find out in this USA Today article how DNA sequences can vouch for a souvenir's authenticity.

DNA Detective

In this video from QUEST, learn about the issues of ethics and responsibility that are associated with genetic testing.

DNA Evidence

This audio segment is a National Public Radio story on New York State's DNA profiling of criminals.

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 Fingerprint Photos

These photographs supplied by Genelex Corporation depict actual DNA fingerprints and show the types of information that can be gleaned from them.

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 Makes History

Read how DNA was used to solve the mystery of the Romanov family's execution. From Human Genetics: Concepts and Applications by Ricki Lewis.

DNA on the Witness Stand

In this article, Dr. Eric Lander of the Human Genome Project comments on the use of DNA as an identification tool -- the theoretical versus the practical results.

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DNA Sequencing

This interactive activity adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center looks at two techniques used to sequence DNA: the Sanger method and an automated process based on the Sanger method.

Epigenetics

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn how what you eat, drink, or smoke may affect the instructions your epigenomes send to your genes, and as a result, change how your DNA is expressed.

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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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Extracting Mummy DNA

This video segment adapted from NOVA explains how a DNA sample is taken from a 5,000-year-old mummy and what we can learn from it.

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Forensic DNA Analysis

This video segment from NOVA: "The Killer's Trail" investigates the potential for DNA evidence to solve murder cases, even those from the distant past.

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Frenetic Genetics

Students learn about the types of genetic information contained in the human genome – physical traits, behaviors, and propensity for diseases, in this video from Faces of America.

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From the Cystic Fibrosis Gene to a Drug

In this video excerpt from NOVA, find out how the discovery of a gene defect has led to the development of a new drug to treat patients with cystic fibrosis.

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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.

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.

Geneticist Pardis Sabeti

In this video profile adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, learn about geneticist and rock musician Pardis Sabeti, whose innovative insights into natural selection demonstrated how beneficial mutations spread quickly through a population.

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How DNA Evidence Works

In this article by An Meeker-O'Connell, discover how DNA evidence is processed before it goes to court.

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How Genetic Disorders Are Inherited

Learn how genetic disorders are passed from parents to children as explained in this excerpt from Blazing a Genetic Trail, from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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.

Human Chromosome 2

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.

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Human Genome Project

This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" looks at the meaning and significance of the effort to decode the human genome.

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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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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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Mendel's Laws of Genetic Inheritance

This interactive activity, adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center, uses Punnett squares to illustrate Mendel's laws of inheritance and how a particular gene combination results in a 3-to-1 ratio of dominant-to-recessive traits.

Migration Sensations

This video segment from Faces of America details the process of human migration through haplogroups and shows the haplogroups of some of the series’ guests.

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Personal DNA Testing

In this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW, take a behind-the-scenes look at the process of personal DNA testing, and hear more about the innovative Personal Genome Project.

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A Piece of the Pie

This video from the series Faces of America covers what DNA can tell us about our ethnic identities that regular genealogy might not.

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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.

Ratty Old Genes

This video from The Human Spark explores the extraction and interpretation of Neanderthal DNA.

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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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The Role of Genetics in Obesity

In this video segment from NOVA scienceNOW, meet researchers who are studying obesity and trying to understand the role that hormones and genetics can play in regulating appetite.

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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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Should We Screen for Cancer Genes?

In this video excerpt from NOVA, learn about the advantages, disadvantages, and ethical implications of screening for genes associated with diseases, including those linked to breast and ovarian cancers.

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Some Genes Are Dominant

This interactive activity, adapted from the Dolan DNA Learning Center, illustrates how Gregor Mendel used pure-bred yellow and green peas to show that some genes are dominant and others are recessive.

Talk of Life

Using the FOXP2 “language gene” as an example, this video from The Human Spark explores how similar genes evolve differently in different animals.

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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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