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 Did you quit smoking on November 15th? That day was the Great American Smokeout, a national event sponsored by the American Cancer Society since 1977. If you need inspiration to keep from lighting up again, visit our website Inside Cancer. In Causes & Prevention: Smoking we feature tobacco history, the lung cancer epidemic, carcinogenic killers in smoke, genes and proteins implicated in cancer, nicotine's role in cancer, and cancer prevention. So, pop in a stick of gum and click over to Inside Cancer. Posted November 16, 2007  Nobel Laureate Arthur Kornberg Dies at 89Arthur Kornberg isolated DNA polymerase I and showed that life (DNA) can be made in a test tube. In 1959, he shared the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with Severo Ochoa — Kornberg for the enzymatic synthesis of DNA, Ochoa for the enzymatic synthesis of RNA. Explore Concept 20 from DNA from the Beginning for more information on DNA synthesis. This section includes an animation, biography, photos, and video interviews of Kornberg. Find additional resources, including several video clips of Dr. Kornberg, on the DNA Interactive site in Code > Copying the Code > Pieces of the Puzzle. Posted October 29, 2007  2007 Nobel Knockouts!Mario R. Capecchi of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Martin J. Evans of Cardiff University in Wales, and Oliver Smithies of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill have been awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their work in gene targeting in mice. Mario Capecchi steps through this powerful technique in the animation below. Explore Concept 41 from DNA from the Beginning for more information on gene targeting. Find additional resources, including several video clips of Dr. Capecchi, on the DNA Interactive site in Applications > Genes and Medicine > Gene Targeting. Posted October 9, 2007  And a hush fell over the genome.... The 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine recognized the discovery RNA interference (RNAi), a basic mechanism of gene regulation that also provides an important new tool for functional genome analysis. American scientists Andrew Fire and Craig Mello shared the Prize for showing that short, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules can down-regulate gene expression of a corresponding target gene. By deliberately introducing defined sequences of dsRNA into living organisms, biologists can observe the physiological consequences of “silencing” virtually any gene in C. elegans, as well as other plants and animals. Considering the banner year for RNAi in Stockholm, our timing could not have been better as we completed our National Science Foundation project to develop an integrated experiment- and bioinformatics-based curriculum on RNAi in C. elegans. Silencing Genomes is an online lab notebook that combines lab methods with user-friendly features – including flow charts, reagent recipes, and extensive instructor information. Supporting resources include photos and video of C. elegans mutants, as well as a simple check-out system to obtain any of 80 C. elegans mutants and E. coli feeding strains. The site also provides a launch pad for bioinformatics exercises that accompany each experiment. Students use online databases – including WormBase and Pubmed – to explore the molecular genetics and physiological functions of the genes targeted by RNAi. NCBI’s BLAST and the DNALC Sequence Server are used to explore the evolutionary relatedness of genes in worms and humans. Silencing Genomes was funded by the National Science Foundation. Posted August 22, 2007 Have
you gone Inside Cancer?Check out our guide to cancer biology! Inside Cancer is a multimedia site for teachers, students, and family members who want authoritative information on the biology of a cancer cell. Here's what visitors to Inside Cancer are saying: "A magnificent way to learn how I have become a cancer survivor. Thank you very much for your help." "This web site production is absolutely excellent and stunning to watch. Amazing. Thank you for the learning experience." "I found your website extremely helpful. It is informative, in depth, and easy to follow." "Fantastic site, particularly the narrated animations of the molecular level cell signaling pathways." "I am a college student majoring in biology. The animated cancer pathway illustration is truly an artwork and excellent tool for teaching. I have not seen any other like this. Thank you for doing such a fabulous work!" Inside Cancer was funded by a National Institutes of Health Science Education Partnerships Award (SEPA). Posted July 17, 2007  Introducing
DNA TodayThe Dolan DNA Learning Center is pleased to announce the launch of DNA Today, a series of topical video podcasts that will keep you up-to-the-minute with the DNA revolution. Join commentators Dave Micklos and Jan Witkowski, as they combine their intimate knowledge of modern research with common sense and a touch of humor. Dave is executive director of the Dolan DNA Learning Center, the world’s first science center devoted entirely to genetics education. Jan is executive director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's Banbury Center, a think tank for high-level science discussion. DNA Today videos can be found at www.dnalc.org/ddnalc/dna_today/. Vodcasts and podcasts can be reached by copying the following URL into a podcasting tool: http://www.dnalc.org/ddnalc/dna_today/dna_today.xml POSTED April 25, 2007
So-called ‘designer babies’ have generated fervent discussion in recent weeks. For some, genetic manipulation is a moral necessity, for others it is an ethical outrage. We are reminded of the dark specter of eugenics, and the importance of heeding lessons from the past. But what is the history of American eugenics, and how relevant is it to the current debate? Visit the Image Archive on the American Eugenics Movement website to explore the history of the movement, and browse our archive of over 2,500 images. POSTED January 11, 2007  Mapping
Our Family TreeWritten in each person's DNA is a record of our shared ancestry and our struggle to populate the earth. The study of DNA variations reveals that all humans today can be traced to a common ancestor. As modern scientists study the DNA of the ancient hominid Neanderthal, they hope to uncover any influence they may have had on the development of modern humans. Go to DNA Interactive to delve into the mysteries of our species' past; including a comparison between modern humans and Neanderthals, and several video interviews with researchers in the field. Go to DNA from the Beginning to learn about earlier work that focused on mitochondrial DNA in Concept 30: Higher Cells Incorporate an Ancient Chromosome and Concept 27: Mutations are Changes in Genetic Information, under the problem tab. And, if you are feeling adventurous, go to our Sequence Server and compare the mitochondrial DNA sequences of Neanderthals with other prehistoric humans and/or modern humans. Use the "?" button to access step-by-step instructions for using this tool. Additional resources can be found on the Genetic Origins website. POSTED November 16, 2006 Nobel Prizes Announced  View
animations that show the molecular details of DNA transcription
for which Roger Kornberg was awarded the 2006 Nobel Prize
for Chemistry. Go to DNA
Interactive for a 3-D animation of transcription and an
interactive transcription game. Also learn about his earlier work on how DNA is packaged into chromosomes in Concept 29's animation from DNA from the Beginning. View a PDF of the Nobel Foundation's information about this year's chemistry prize here.  RNAi-nformationStanford Professor Andrew Fire and University of Massachusetts researcher, Craig Mello, will share the 2006 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering work on a biological process called RNA interference (or RNAi for short). In the eight years since its discovery in the roundworm, C. elegans, RNAi has had a profound impact on the field of medicine, and has significant potential for tackling diseases as diverse as AIDS and cancer. But what exactly is RNAi, and why has it generated such excitement in the scientific community? A molecular switch: Essentially, RNAi is a mechanism that cells use to turn off genes in response to double-stranded RNA. RNAi can target particular genes-a gene is silenced when a sequence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) introduced to the cell, matches the sequence of a specific gene. Researchers can target a particular gene by introducing the that matches the gene they want to study. This means that they can study the function of genes that may affect the immune system, or cause obesity, or any number of functions. Prior to Fire and Mello's seminal 1998 paper, there was no practical way to quickly silence gene expression since its publication, tens of thousands of genes have been studied by turning them off using RNAi. While still very much in its infancy, the potential for the technique as a medical tool is enormous. RNAi at the Dolan DNA Learning Center: The Dolan DNA Learning Center has been quick to introduce high school students to this revolution in molecular science. We have pioneered laboratories that enable students to conduct hands-on RNAi experiments in the classroom. Students use RNAi to silence genes in C. elegans. Bacteria containing dsRNA that silence genes are fed to worms. In the next generation, students can observe changes in worm shape and behavior as specific genes are silenced. Students can also do experiments using polymerase chain reaction to examine the actual mechanism of RNAi, or design their own experiment to target a gene of choice. In the following clip, you can observe the DNALC's Dr. Bruce Nash introduce some of the fundamental principles of RNA interference. Learn more about the 2006 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on the Nobel Prize site. POSTED October 4-5, 2006  Lucy's
ChildThe discovery of the skeleton of a three-year-old Australopithecus afarensis female in Ethiopia has sparked discussion about this ancient human's development and behavior. (Read about the find in Nature and National Geographic.) Visit DNA Interactive's Applications and click on the Human Origins link to explore the ancestors in our family tree and how DNA sequences scattered throughout our genome can be used to study human history. POSTED September 27, 2006 
Down to the DNADNA fingerprinting is based on the understanding that although humans share the vast majority of their DNA sequence, there are crucial distinctions that tell us apart. One key distinction is in the incidence of microsatellites—repeating sequences of DNA—which differ in frequency at different locations. The likelihood that two humans will consistently share the same number of microsatellites is extremely low. If two DNA samples match, therefore, they will almost certainly have come from the same person. The exceptions to this rule are identical twins, who have identical genetic profiles. In interpreting forensic findings it may be important to maintain a degree of caution, however. While the statistical possibility of a coincidental match can reach beyond 1 in 100 billion, it remains the case that humans are prone to error and laboratory procedure cannot approach this level of accuracy. Nevertheless, DNA fingerprinting remains the most powerful tool in forensic science and is ultimately the defining authority on innocence and guilt. Visit DNA Interactive's Applications section to explore the science and issues behind the procedure. POSTED August 23, 2006  Following
the Stem Cell Debate?Find out how stem cells are made in a short animation in our resources section. Find many other valuable animations in this section as well. POSTED July 19, 2006  Summer
ScienceThere are still spaces available in several of our Student Summer Camps. Get full descriptions and downloadable application forms for everything we have to offer from the STUDENT CAMPS section of the web site. See you at the DNALC! POSTED April 3, 2006  Learn
about the world of model organisms, how genetic engineering has
changed the way we treat disease, and what a stem cell is supposed
to do. These are just some of the fascinating topics among our new
lab offerings.Check out the Saturday DNA! schedule for the Spring 2006 session. POSTED March 14, 2006 Inside
Cancer Launched!Inside Cancer is a multimedia site for teachers, students, and family members who want authoritative information on the biology of a cancer cell. The site includes video interviews with noted researchers, informative animations, and a stunning 3-D animated tour of a cell. Go to www.insidecancer.org. POSTED January 31, 2006  Could
King Kong exist? Why is a guy, a guy? Can you make humans glow?Why not join us in the lab to find the answers and enjoy your Saturday with some DNA science? Check out the Saturday DNA! schedule for the Winter 2006 session. POSTED December 20, 2005 
Eugenics Archive Upgraded!Using the Macromedia Flash plugin, the new Archive site has upgraded search features, enhanced cross referencing, and interactive images created with Zoomifyer. Zoomifyer allows the viewer to zoom and pan high-resolution images quickly and does not require additional plug-ins. Go to www.eugenicsarchive.org. POSTED November 30, 2005 
Passing the HatThe Dolan DNA Learning Center Annual Fund Drive is underway. Please support the programs of the DNALC by making a contribution today! POSTED November 15, 2005  We
have been hitting the road this fall and making stops at many teacher
and science association conventions. Be sure to look for us at this
last stop this year:National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), Regional Meeting December 1-3 in Nashville, Tennessee *Mitochondrial DNA in Action: The Mystery of Anastasia Romanov *Detecting GM Foods by PCR * Presented in collaboration with Carolina Biological Supply Company. POSTED September 30, 2005   A-maizing!Almost a hundred years ago, an Illinois farm worker stumbled across a corn stalk of such absurd “monstrosity” that it was initially suspected to be a new species. A disordered and bulbous jumble of kernels, the corn was in fact the result of the mutation of only a single gene called ramosa1..... Read full article Posted 8/15/05  DNA
on Vacation!Come to the world's most exciting DNA destinations this summer for a week of science at the Dolan DNA Learning Center or DNA Learning Center West! Visit the Student Camps page for more information and to get application materials. Posted 4/8/05 Educators: Plant Yourself in a Summer Opportunity!  We
are offering several National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded educational
opportunities in modern plant biology for high school and college
teaching faculty. Programs are held in Cold Spring Harbor and at
sites in the United States. Visit our Educator
Training page to learn more and get application materials.Posted 4/8/05 |
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