The Human Genome Project

Students learn about the Human Genome Project: the process, the functions of sections of DNA code, how knowledge of the human genome is being applied to medicine, and about genetic variation.

Journey into DNA

Travel deep into the human body to see exactly where your DNA resides. From the NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" Web site.

Killer Microbe

Learn how biotechnology is used to analyze the evolution of a formerly harmless bacterium into a highly drug-resistant and lethal pathogen in this video segment adapted from NOVA scienceNOW.

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Life On Our Skin

This video fromScience Friday explores the many different types of bacteria that live on our skin.

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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Microbe Clock

In this Evolution Web feature, learn how mutation and fast reproductive rates can allow deadly microbes to outpace medical breakthroughs.

Molecular Evidence for Evolutionary Relationships

Students learn about the evolutionary relationship between humans and other organisms by comparing amino acid sequences in cytochrome c from a variety of species.

Molecular Level of Genetics

Get down to the molecular nitty-gritty of DNA replication and protein synthesis in this article by Dennis O'Neil.

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Mouse Party

In this interactive activity from The University of Utah, examine the molecular mechanisms that affect the brains of mice on drugs. Learn how different drugs create different responses in the brain and alter the natural state of a mouse.

The Nuts and Bolts of DNA Replication

In this animation from Secret of Life: "Immortal Thread," watch how DNA unzips and replicates under normal conditions, and how mistakes called mutations are incorporated into genes.

One Wrong Letter

This video segment from NOVA: "Cracking the Code of Life" describes the genetics of Tay-Sachs disease.

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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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Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis

This video segment from NOVA: "18 Ways to Make a Baby" describes a technique used to determine the health of a developing embryo.

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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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DNA and Protein Synthesis in the Cell

Students learn about DNA replication, protein synthesis, molecular genetics and proteins in the human body.

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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Risky Genetics

In this lesson from NOVA scienceNOW, students explore genetic testing for specific diseases, and consider the pros and cons of discovering a person's genotype for a particular disease.

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 Explained

Using scientific animations and illustrated metaphors, this interactive activity from NOVA scienceNOW explains RNAi and how it works.