Kenan Fellows
Unit 2: DNA Analysis
Ever wonder how they solve those mysterious murders in TV crime dramas? The second of four units in a Biotechnology series introduces scholars to the many methods of DNA analysis. Pupils create and run their own gel electrophoresis...
Teach Engineering
DNA Forensics and Color Pigments
Use food coloring in electrophoresis. The last segment in a four-part series mimics DNA fingerprinting by using chromatography. Teams conduct chromatography on food coloring to find colors that use similar pigmentation in their makeup.
Serendip
DNA
Get up close and personal with DNA! A two-part hands-on activity has learners extract DNA from a small organism and then their own cheek cells. Scholars then explore DNA replication using questions to guide their analyses.
Biology Junction
The Structure of DNA
Did you know that all life on Earth has DNA? Explore the importance of the molecule by learning about its structure. The unique DNA shape, bases, and bonds allow the incredible diversity seen all over the world.
Virginia Department of Education
Building a DNA Model
It has been decades since the discovery of DNA. Still, activities such building this DNA model allow blossoming scientists to better understand the components that form this overall structure. During this activity, they will also...
Virginia Department of Education
DNA Structure, Nucleic Acids, and Proteins
What is in that double helix? Explain intricate concepts with a variety of creative activities in a lesson that incorporates multiple steps to cover DNA structure, nucleic acids, and proteins. Pupils explore the history of DNA structure,...
Gene Jury
DNA Detectives
Police find a man murdered in a local hotel, DNA everywhere, and now they need scholars' help. Budding detectives step into a crime scene playing the roles of victim, suspects, and investigators. They apply knowledge of criminology and...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
A Gene Is a Discrete Sequence of DNA Nucleotides
Frederick Sanger won two Nobel prizes for protein sequencing and DNA sequencing. Young scientists learn about Dr. Sanger's research and amazing discoveries. They read an article and a biography, view videos and animations, and apply...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
A Half DNA Ladder Is a Template for Copying the Whole
The experiment known as one of the most beautiful experiments in biology changed the way we think about DNA. Learn about the experiment and the scientists who designed it—as well as the scientists who built on the results—with an online...
Teach Engineering
Inside the DNA
Get your class to take a closer look at DNA. Pupils conduct research to determine the methods used by scientists to analyze the molecular structure of DNA. The class members investigate different types of molecular imaging along with gel...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Viral DNA Integration
How do reverse transcriptase inhibitors work? Young virologists examine the function of azidothymidine, a drug doctors use to treat HIV patients, during a hands-on modeling activity. Groups create a strand of DNA from an HIV RNA strand...
Serendip
UV, Mutations, and DNA Repair
How effective are cells at repairing UV damage? An inquiry-based lesson has learners experiment with organism by exposing them to various levels of UV light and then examining their DNA after a period of time. Pupils test different...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
A Gene Is Made of DNA
Does a protein or DNA store genetic instructions for life? Follow the research from the 1920's experiments on mice through the 1940's experiments on bacteria to learn the answer to the difficult question. Scholars use an online...
Towson University
Berries...With a Side of DNA?
Sometimes science lab can be ... delicious! Middle school science scholars extract DNA from strawberries and other fruits in an engaging lab activity. The teacher's guide includes pacing, materials list, and worksheets with answer keys.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The DNA Molecule Is Shaped like a Twisted Ladder
One of the first models of DNA appeared to be a triple helix. Young scientists learn about the many scientists who worked to find the shape of DNA. They observe multiple models, tests, and experiments to understand the conclusions. An...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DNA and Proteins Are Key Molecules of the Cell Nucleus
When DNA research first began, it required almost an entire day to extract the molecules from a cell nucleus. Now it requires less than an hour. Scholars learn about the early theories of DNA with an online interactive, videos,...
Chemistry Collective
Virtual Lab: DNA Binding Problem
Why do the bases in DNA pair up the way they do? Unravel the mystery of the double helix in a virtual lab. Young scientists follow in the footsteps of Watson and Crick to determine the free energy associated with DNA base pair binding....
Chemistry Collective
Virtual Lab: Unknown Concentration of DNA Solution Problem
Highlight DNA solution with fluorescent dyes! Scholars use dye to determine the concentration of a DNA solution. As the dyes bind with the DNA solution, learners make conclusions about the limiting reactants.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
RNA Is an Intermediary Between DNA and Protein
For years, scientists believed tRNA was junk left over from larger RNA. Three scientists used different approaches to prove tRNA actually exists as the connection between DNA and protein. Learn about their experiments, their lives, and...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Bacteria and Viruses Have DNA Too
In the 1940s, scientists discovered bacteria conjugation, the process of DNA transfer or bacterial sex. The discovery proved that bacteria and viruses contain DNA and led to a Nobel prize. Interested individuals learn about the...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
How to Analyze DNA Microarray Data
Unravel the complexities of DNA research. Analyzing DNA data can be a daunting, time-consuming task; however, as the lesson explains, an interactive importance of the research outweighs its complexities. The presentation breaks down the...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
DNA Words Are Three Letters Long
DNA writes 64 different words but only codes for 20 different amino acids. Budding scientists learn about where each of these numbers come from and why they aren't equal with an online interactive. The resource explains the research, the...
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Some DNA Can Jump
Some people have a natural ability to jump, but did you know DNA also naturally jumps? Learn about the fun habit by looking at the research of a pioneering female scientist. Barbara McClintock fought prejudice and surpassed her mentors...
Chemistry Collective
Virtual Lab: DNA - Dye Binding: Equilibrium and Buffer Solutions
Your class is bound to be fascinated by this virtual lab! Young biochemists explore molecules that bind to specific sites on the DNA molecule through a skillful simulation. The lesson challenges learners to create a DNA-bound solution...