This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Advancements in metagenomic technology have been a boon to research but may encroach on people’s expectation of privacy. A staggering amount of information can be derived from the cells we leave behind on everyday surfaces, and our ability to interpret this information to learn about YOU will only grow with time. While these advancements are not likely to ever be 100% accurate, they present a potential avenue for discrimination. Genetic privacy is not a new concept, and in the US and elsewhere, there are laws protecting people from some discrimination based on genomic-derived data, but metagenomics is not covered by the existing laws and requires its own ethical and legal scrutiny. Our world is rapidly becoming one with ubiquitous genetic, molecular, and data profiling. In that world, privacy will be difficult to protect unless statutes and laws are brought up to date with the advancement in biotechnology..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

How genetic variation is the raw material of evolution, and how restricted gene flow can lead to the formation of new species.

In this assignment students first look up a genetic condition in Genetics Home Reference (which is a public domain site maintained by the National Institute of Health). Then they give a description of the condition and make a problem based on the condition for other students to solve.

The aim of the course has always been a practical one. We want to give students practice in performing the commonest techniques in molecular biology and genetic engineering as well as providing a good basic understanding of how the techniques worked. Though you won’t be doing the wet lab part of the course this semester, you will get some experience via simulations and other “lab exercises” and you will get plenty of experience in planning and designing constructs to answer biological questions. Part of our aim is to prepare students for a career in genetic engineering and this hasn’t changed.

"Genetic Engineering Challenge - How can scientists develop a type of rice that could prevent vitamin A deficiency?" is an analysis and discussion activity. This activity begins with an introduction to vitamin A deficiency, rice seeds, and genetic engineering. Next, several questions challenge students to design a basic plan that could produce a genetically engineered rice plant that makes rice grains that contain pro-vitamin A. Subsequent information and questions guide students in developing an understanding of the basic techniques of genetic engineering. Students use fundamental molecular biology concepts as they think about how to solve a practical problem. This activity can be used to introduce students to genetic engineering or to reinforce basic understanding of genetic engineering.

An opportunity for graduate study of advanced subjects in Brain and Cognitive Sciences not included in other subject listings. The key topics covered in this course are Bipolar Disorder, Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Genetics of Psychiatric Disorder, DISC1, Ca++ Signaling, Neurogenesis and Depression, Lithium and GSK3 Hypothesis, Behavioral Assays, CREB in Addiction and Depressive Behaviors, The GABA System-I, The GABA System-II, The Glutamate Hypothesis of Schizophrenia, The Dopamine Pathway and DARPP32.

Genetic engineering is responsible for the so-called "second green revolution."  Genes that encode herbicide resistance, insect resistance, drought tolerance, frost tolerance, and other traits have been added to many plants of commercial importance. In 2003, 167 million acres of farmland worldwide were planted in genetically modified (GM) crops equal to one fourth of total land under cultivation.  The most widely planted GM crops are soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, and papaya. Two important transgenes have been widely introduced into crop plants.  The Bt gene, from Bacillus thuringiensis, produces a toxin that protects against caterpillars, reducing applications of insecticides and increasing yields. The glyphosate resistance gene protects food plants against the broad-spectrum herbicide Roundup, which efficiently kills invasive weeds in the field. The major advantages of the "Roundup Ready®" system include better weed control, reduction of crop injury, higher yield, and lower environmental impact than traditional herbicide systems. Most Americans would probably be surprised to learn that more than 60% of fresh vegetables and processed foods sold in supermarkets today are genetically modified by gene transfer.  In 2004, approximately 85% of soy and 45% of corn grown in the U.S. were grown from Roundup Ready® seed.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder that causes a severe response to gluten. Although genetic predisposition is necessary for celiac disease to develop, exposure to certain environmental stimuli may also play a role in disease development. A recent study evaluated potential environmental risk factors affecting celiac disease development. Researchers used metagenomics and metabolomics to analyze infants with a first-degree relative with CD. Using samples collected at birth, 3 months, and 6 months of age to compare infants exposed or unexposed to environmental factors, including birth delivery mode, infant feeding type, and antibiotic exposure, the researchers found that many microbial species, functional pathways, and metabolites were affected by risk factors. Notably, C-section delivery was associated with decreases in beneficial bacteria and alterations in metabolic pathways - changes which are implicated in immune system dysfunction and inflammatory conditions..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"The aphid -- one of the most common crop pests in the world -- has a weakness that scientists have now learned to exploit. When attacked by predators, the bugs release a pheromone to tell fellow insects to scatter. Biologists have proposed spraying these alarm pheromones directly on crops to prevent pest damage, but synthesis is costly. With the advent of genetic engineering, though, the cheaper option is to modify crops to produce the deterrents themselves. In 2015, biologists at Rothamsted Research, an agricultural research station in the UK, reported the first engineering feat of this kind in wheat. To make wheat release insect pheromones, the group inserted a gene from the peppermint plant, which allows plants to produce the appropriate chemical. Then, they tested whether the altered plants’ volatile compounds were capable of repelling the pests..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn how your observable traits, or phenotypes, are the result of interactions between your genes and environment.

In this video collaboration from Khan Academy and 23andMe, you'll learn how your observable traits, or phenotypes, are the result of interactions between your genes and environment.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Going in for surgery? It’s possible the level of pain you’ll experience during recovery is encoded in your DNA. This conclusion draws from the work of an international collaboration of researchers. By looking at the outcomes of over 1000 patients, they pinpointed factors linked to ongoing postsurgical pain. They found that one important determinant is the code of a single gene – the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, gene – opening new avenues for how we understand, and treat, chronic pain. Nearly all surgical patients experience some degree of postoperative pain, but it’s usually resolved as they heal. For many, however, it can last for months or even years – a condition referred to as chronic postsurgical pain. Although some elements that lead to this condition are known – nerve injury during surgery, for example, is one common cause – there’s often no easily identifiable culprit. Enter genetics..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

This resource is a video abstract of a research paper created by Research Square on behalf of its authors. It provides a synopsis that's easy to understand, and can be used to introduce the topics it covers to students, researchers, and the general public. The video's transcript is also provided in full, with a portion provided below for preview:

"Cost of feed is a major expense in chicken production, and that cost has been increasing due to overlap with human food and biofuel production. Therefore, improving feed efficiency can help reduce costs in chicken production systems. Both host genetics and gut microbiota can influence phenotypic traits like feed efficiency. New research explored this relationship in meat-type chickens by examining the host genetics as well as the microbiota from four intestinal regions and feces. Host relatedness showed little correlation to microbial community, but specific host genetic markers were associated with a small number of gut microbes. The greatest effect on feed efficiency, measured by residual feed intake (RFI), was host genetics. Out of the microbiota examined, only the cecum had a significant effect on the observed variance in RFI. Researchers also identified six bacterial groups associated with significant differences in feed efficiency..."

The rest of the transcript, along with a link to the research itself, is available on the resource itself.

An interactive lecture that uses flash animations showing the researcher and their experiments that were used to develop the basic concepts in Mendelian genetics. Includes multiple choice questions students can answer in class.

Students learn the genetics of the ABO blood type system and use simple chemicals to simulate blood type tests. Then they carry out genetic analyses to determine whether hospital staff accidentally switched two babies born on the same day. Students learn about Punnett squares, codominance, and multiple alleles of a single gene. This activity helps students meet the Next Generation Science Standards.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the behavior of chromosomes during meiosisDescribe cellular events during meiosisExplain the differences between meiosis and mitosisExplain the mechanisms within meiosis that generate genetic variation among the products of meiosis

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the behavior of chromosomes during meiosisDescribe cellular events during meiosisExplain the differences between meiosis and mitosisExplain the mechanisms within meiosis that generate genetic variation among the products of meiosis

What lessons can we learn about genetically engineered organisms from the example of the jabberjay, a fictional bird in the movie “The Hunger Games”? In this lesson, students discuss the definition of genetically modified organisms, learn about the risks and benefits of research on G.M.O.’s, explore the growing do-it-yourself biology movement, and develop proposals seeking to either restrict or permit research into genetically modifying the avian flu virus.

Genetic variation is fundamental to the evolution of all species and is what makes us individuals. Our genes have a large influence on our lives. They affect what we look like, our personalities and preferences and our susceptibility to disease. By studying genetic variation we hope to understand the molecular processes that contribute to life on earth.

By the end of the course you will be able to:
List examples of genetic variation databases
Describe the type of data found in different genetic variation databases
Explore genetic variation data within publicly available resources