About the GENE
Project
Teacher-scientist collaborations to adapt
modern research organisms and techniques to the classroom through workshops,
laboratory procedures, video tape, and computer simulation.
About the GENE
Team
Scientists and teachers available for brain
picking.
A Classroom Guide
To Yeast Experiments
These articles describe genetics and radiation
experiments using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), a popular eukaryotic
microbe for genetics and molecular biology research. They include student
experiments and techniques, teacher tips, background material, integrated
applications to environmental science, math, and physics, and sources of
supplies.
UVRISK: Biological
Consequences of UV exposure and Ozone Depletion.
This MS-DOS computer program allows you to
explore the biological response to UV radiation from a variety of sources,
including sunlight. You can select the UV source, a variety of UV blockers,
including ozone, and the specific biological response. Use it to predict
the results of experiments using yeast to monitor solar UV exposure.
Click
here to download this program. Then read the file
UVRISK.TXT.
Classroom Experiments
with Flour Beetles ( Tribolium
castaneum)
These friendly, non-flying beetles have become
important research organisms for studying the genetic control of development.
They are easy to grow and are an alternative to fruit flies for many classroom
applications. Articles present techniques for culturing, sexing, making
genetic crosses, and studying responses to pesticides. Sources of standard
and mutant beetles and the simple materials required are included.
Experiments with
"high-tech" plants
Rapid cycling plants provide many opportunities
for classroom research. Brassica species, including Wisconsin
Fast Plants and radishes, Arabidopsis thaliana and others have
many application for studying genetics, physiology, and environmental interactions,
including response to environmental radiation. For more information on
these plants and how to order them please follow this link.
Diagram of the Life Cyle of Yeast
Some links to yeast research lab sites:
You may e-mail comments
or questions about the GENE project or this Web site to
Tom Manney.
Last updated 11/29/01.