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LABS & EXPERIMENTS
Biostatistics
Labs & Experiments
Biotechnology Cell Biology
Virtual and hands-on experiments to teach genetic concepts.
DNA Forensics DNA, Genes, Chromosomes
MATERIALS FOR LABS & EXPERIMENTS
Evolution Genetic Conditions
BIOSTATISTICS
Heredity/Inheritance Patterns
Drosophila Virtual Lab Description: Students learn and apply the principles of Mendelian inheritances by virtual experimentation with Drosophilia
Top Issues In Genetics
melanogaster (fruit fly). Students make hypotheses for monohybrid, dihybrid and sex-linked traits and test their hypotheses by selecting fruit flies with different visible mutations, mating them, and analyzing the phenotypic ratios of the offspring. Students learn how to collect, record, and organize their data. Source: Science Courseware | URL: http://sciencecourseware.org/vcise/drosophila/
Genetics of Organisms Description: A virtual lab that uses fruit flies, mono- and dihybrid crosses, and statistics to teach concepts of inheritance Source: Pearsons Education, Inc. | URL: http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab7/intro.html
Mystery Yeast Mutation (PDF 381.48 KB) Description: In this inquiry-based exploration students are asked to discover the nature of the mutation in a yeast strain by designing and carrying out their own experiments. Students are provided with a conundrum: the same mutant yeast strain can grow on one type of media plate but not another. Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah | URL: http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/mystery.pdf
Population Genetics and Evolution Description: Information and practice problems on allelic frequency and the Hardy-Weinberg Law of Genetic Equilibrium Source: Pearsons Education, Inc. | URL: http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab8/intro.html
BIOTECHNOLOGY Bacterial Identification Virtual Lab Description: A virtual lab teaching methods for identifying bacteria by their DNA Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute | URL: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/bacterial-identification-virtual-lab
Bacterial Transformation Description: A virtual laboratory experiment teaching concepts of genetic engineering Source: Dolan DNA Learning Center | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/transformation/transformation_d.html
Build a Gel Electrophoresis Chamber (PDF 8,261.5 KB) Description: Step-by-step instructions for building a gel electrophoresis chamber using inexpensive materials that are easily obtained from local hardware and electronics stores. Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah | URL: http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/build_gel_box.pdf
Classroom Activities in Plant Biotechnology Description: This program aims to introduce elementary and high school students to the basics of plant biotechnology. It includes several classroom experiments that can be modified to suit the ages of the students. Source: The American Phytopathological Society | URL: http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/K-12/TeachersGuide/PlantBiotechnology/Pages/default.aspx
Cloning a Living Organism Description: A plant cutting exercise to demonstrate cloning and genetic versus environmental influences Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3198
Colorful Electrophoresis Description: A step by step guide to pouring and running a gel electrophoresis chamber using agar and food coloring from your kitchen pantry. Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah | URL: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/electrophoresis/
DNA Extraction Description: A virtual DNA extraction laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/dnaextraction/dnaextraction_d.html
Evaluating Methods of Pest Control Description: A laboratory experiment to prompt discussion of the economic importance of pest control Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3206
Extracting DNA From Living Things Description: A laboratory experiment using simple equipment and chemicals to extract DNA from plants and other materials Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3152
Following Gene Transfer by Conjugation in Bacteria Description: Instructions for a gene transfer laboratory experiment Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3199
Gel Electrophoresis Description: Build your own gel electrophoresis device from scratch with simple materials, and use electricity to separate colored dyes. Gel electrophoresis is a powerful technique used to manipulate and analyze DNA. Source: Exploratorium | URL: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/gel-electrophoresis
Gene Induction: Beta-galactosidase in E. coli Description: A laboratory experiment demonstrating how genes are turned on and off in a cell Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/1645
Investigating What Makes Fruit Go Brown Description: A laboratory experiment to test hypotheses of why fruits brown and prompt discussion on commercial food processing Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3207
Mystery Yeast Mutation (PDF 381.48 KB) Description: In this inquiry-based exploration students are asked to discover the nature of the mutation in a yeast strain by designing and carrying out their own experiments. Students are provided with a conundrum: the same mutant yeast strain can grow on one type of media plate but not another. Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah | URL: http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/mystery.pdf
PCR Virtual Lab Description: A PCR virtual laboratory experiment Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah | URL: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/pcr/
Restriction Analysis Description: A DNA virtual laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/restrictionanalysis/restrictionanalysis_d.html
Trading Hormones Among Fishes - Gene Technology Lets Us Watch What Happens Description: An advanced virtual laboratory experiment to determine if growth hormone from one species can activate growth in another. Source: McGraw-Hill Higher Education | URL: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/virtual_labs/lab9/home.html
Transgenic Fly Lab Introduction Description: Create transgenic flies in a virtual laboratory Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute | URL: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/transgenic-fly-virtual-lab
Working with Immobilised Enzymes or Microscopic Organisms Description: Demonstrate the technique of immobilisation of biomaterial in an alginate matrix. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using immobilised material Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3209
CELL BIOLOGY Antigen-Antibody Testing: A Visual Simulation or Virtual Reality Description: This exercise demonstrates the biological phenomenon of the formation of a precipitate when an antigen reacts with an antibody. The exercise can be used to illustrate the specificity of antigen-antibody reactions. Source: The American Phytopathological Society | URL: http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/K-12/TeachersGuide/AntigenAntibody/Pages/default.aspx
Gene Induction: Beta-galactosidase in E. coli Description: A laboratory experiment demonstrating how genes are turned on and off in a cell Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/1645
Investigating Mitosis in Allium Root Tip Squash Description: A laboratory experiment to demonstrate mitosis in plant cells Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/2760
Making Reebops: A model for Meiosis Description: Instructions for a classroom exercise modeling meiosis and gene expression (phenotype) Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3197
Mitosis and Meiosis - Pearson - The Biology Place Description: In this virtual laboratory, you will study the process of mitosis in cells using slides of onion root tips or whitefish blastulae. You will also review the process of meiosis in a simulation activity with beads, and then investigate crossing over during meiosis in a fungus. Source: Pearsons Education, Inc. | URL: http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab3/intro.html
Preparing an Anther Squash Description: A laboratory experiment using the stamen from a flower to demonstrate meiosis Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/2759
Recombination Calculations by Branch Diagrams Description: An expert authored advanced classroom laboratory experiment teaching a method for analyzing genetic recombination events Source: Genetics Society of America | URL: http://www.genetics-gsa.org/education/GSAPREP.2013.002.shtml
DNA FORENSICS Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) with Powdery Mildew Fungi Description: This exercise can be used to stimulate the investigative nature of your students as they use forensic plant pathology techniques with powdery mildew cleistothecia (the sexual stage of powdery mildew fungi) to prove their innocence in a mock murder investigation. Source: The American Phytopathological Society | URL: http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/K-12/TeachersGuide/CSIPowderyMildew/Pages/default.aspx
DNA Extraction Description: A virtual DNA extraction laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/dnaextraction/dnaextraction_d.html
DNA Fingerprint: Alu Description: A DNA fingerprinting virtual laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/dnafingerprintalu/dnafingerprintalu_d.html
Gel Electrophoresis Description: Build your own gel electrophoresis device from scratch with simple materials, and use electricity to separate colored dyes. Gel electrophoresis is a powerful technique used to manipulate and analyze DNA. Source: Exploratorium | URL: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/gel-electrophoresis
DNA, GENES, CHROMOSOMES DNA Extraction Description: A virtual DNA extraction laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/dnaextraction/dnaextraction_d.html
DNA the Easy Way and Gram Stain Without the Mess Description: This demonstration can be used to help students visualize DNA by lysing (breaking open) bacterial cells on a slide and stringing up the DNA with a toothpick in less than one minute. Source: The American Phytopathological Society | URL: http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/K-12/TeachersGuide/DNA_Easy/Pages/default.aspx
Do Some Genes Maintain More Than One Common Allele in a Population? Description: An advanced virtual laboratory experiment exploring why multiple versions of a gene exist within a population. Source: McGraw-Hill Higher Education | URL: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/virtual_labs/lab11/labs/lab11/home.html
Extracting DNA From Living Things Description: A laboratory experiment using simple equipment and chemicals to extract DNA from plants and other materials Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3152
Gel Electrophoresis Description: Build your own gel electrophoresis device from scratch with simple materials, and use electricity to separate colored dyes. Gel electrophoresis is a powerful technique used to manipulate and analyze DNA. Source: Exploratorium | URL: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/gel-electrophoresis
Recombination Calculations by Branch Diagrams Description: An expert authored advanced classroom laboratory experiment teaching a method for analyzing genetic recombination events Source: Genetics Society of America | URL: http://www.genetics-gsa.org/education/GSAPREP.2013.002.shtml
Restriction Analysis Description: A DNA virtual laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/restrictionanalysis/restrictionanalysis_d.html
EVOLUTION A Model for Natural Selection – Spaghetti Worms Description: Investigate natural selection using ‘worms’ made from cooked spaghetti of different colors, observe which ones birds prefer to eat and monitor how ‘populations’ change over time Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3218
A Simple Model for Natural Selection Description: Pick grains of colored rice from colored vermiculite as a model for natural selection. Follow the change in the characteristics of a population over a number of generations Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3217
Brine Date Description: An investigation of living brine shrimps to demonstrate sex selection Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3216
Do You See What I See? Description: A series of lesson plans and laboratory exercises exploring vision, color perception, color-blindness, diversity of vision across species, and how this diversity affects survival and reproduction. You may need to register to view the lesson plans, but the plans and registration is free. Source: Project NEURON, University of Illinois | URL: https://neuron.illinois.edu/units/do-you-see-what-i-see
Exploring Mutant Organisms Description: An evolution and genetic diversity virtual laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/mutantorganisms/mutantorganisms_d.html
Finding Selection in All the Right Places Description: An expert authored advanced classroom laboratory experiment using bioinformatic tools to compare DNA from closely related species Source: Genetics Society of America | URL: http://www.genetics-gsa.org/education/GSAPREP.2013.001.shtml
NOVA Evolution Lab Description: Here find virtual laboratory experiments for teens and adults on a variety of topics, including phylogenetics, the study of the evolutionary relationships among species. The labs engage students in solving a series of evolutionary puzzles. Source: WGBH Educational Foundation | URL: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/labs/lab/evolution/
Stickleback Evolution Virtual Lab Description: A virtual lab teaching skills of data collection and analysis to study evolutionary processes Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute | URL: http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/stickleback-evolution-virtual-lab
GENETIC CONDITIONS Do Some Genes Maintain More Than One Common Allele in a Population? Description: An advanced virtual laboratory experiment exploring why multiple versions of a gene exist within a population. Source: McGraw-Hill Higher Education | URL: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/virtual_labs/lab11/labs/lab11/home.html
Does Sunscreen Protect My DNA? Description: Explore how effectively different sunscreens protect yeast cells from damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah | URL: http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/#item3
How Regulatory Genes Direct Vertebrate Development Description: Carefully timed gene signals are needed for fetal development. This advanced virtual laboratory experiment takes a close look at gene regulation in the pituitary gland of a human fetus. Source: McGraw-Hill Higher Education | URL: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/virtual_labs/lab7/home.html
Mystery Yeast Mutation (PDF 381.48 KB) Description: In this inquiry-based exploration students are asked to discover the nature of the mutation in a yeast strain by designing and carrying out their own experiments. Students are provided with a conundrum: the same mutant yeast strain can grow on one type of media plate but not another. Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah | URL: http://teach.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/mystery.pdf
The Ames Test Description: An expert authored classroom laboratory experiment to assess how a chemical can cause changes to genetic material (DNA) Source: Genetics Society of America | URL: http://www.genetics-gsa.org/education/GSAPREP_Ames.shtml
HEREDITY/INHERITANCE PATTERNS Do Some Genes Maintain More Than One Common Allele in a Population? Description: An advanced virtual laboratory experiment exploring why multiple versions of a gene exist within a population. Source: McGraw-Hill Higher Education | URL: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/tlw3/virtual_labs/lab11/labs/lab11/home.html
Drosophila Virtual Lab Description: Students learn and apply the principles of Mendelian inheritances by virtual experimentation with Drosophilia melanogaster (fruit fly). Students make hypotheses for monohybrid, dihybrid and sex-linked traits and test their hypotheses by selecting fruit flies with different visible mutations, mating them, and analyzing the phenotypic ratios of the offspring. Students learn how to collect, record, and organize their data. Source: Science Courseware | URL: http://sciencecourseware.org/vcise/drosophila/
Genetic Origins - Mitochondrial Point Mutations Description: A laboratory experiment illustrating how mitochondrial mutations can be used to retrace the common maternal lineage of humans Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://www.geneticorigins.org/mito/mitoframeset.htm
Making Reebops: A model for Meiosis Description: Instructions for a classroom exercise modeling meiosis and gene expression (phenotype) Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3197
Mendelian Inheritance Description: A virtual laboratory experiment teaching concepts of Mendelian inheritance and genetic variation Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/mendeliangenetics/mendeliangenetics_d.html
TOP ISSUES IN GENETICS Barcoding Experiment Description: Videos and detailed instructions for conducting a DNA barcoding laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://www.urbanbarcodeproject.org/experiment.html
DNA Extraction Description: A virtual DNA extraction laboratory experiment Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://labcenter.dnalc.org/labs/dnaextraction/dnaextraction_d.html
DNA Nanotechnology (21.4 MB) Description: A hands-on DNA extraction activity with teaching materials on how nanoscientists study DNA and use it to make other nanoscale materials. Source: Nanoscale Informal Science Education | URL: http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/dna_nanotechnology
DNA the Easy Way and Gram Stain Without the Mess Description: This demonstration can be used to help students visualize DNA by lysing (breaking open) bacterial cells on a slide and stringing up the DNA with a toothpick in less than one minute. Source: The American Phytopathological Society | URL: http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/K-12/TeachersGuide/DNA_Easy/Pages/default.aspx
Extracting DNA From Living Things Description: A laboratory experiment using simple equipment and chemicals to extract DNA from plants and other materials Source: Nuffield Foundation | URL: http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/print/3152
Gel Electrophoresis Description: Build your own gel electrophoresis device from scratch with simple materials, and use electricity to separate colored dyes. Gel electrophoresis is a powerful technique used to manipulate and analyze DNA. Source: Exploratorium | URL: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/gel-electrophoresis
Genetic Origins - Mitochondrial Point Mutations Description: A laboratory experiment illustrating how mitochondrial mutations can be used to retrace the common maternal lineage of humans Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://www.geneticorigins.org/mito/mitoframeset.htm
Genetic Origins - PV-92 Alu Insertion Description: Instruction for a laboratory experiment illustrating differences in an allele frequency between world populations and discussion points Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory | URL: http://www.geneticorigins.org/pv92/intro.html
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