Silencing Genomes
http://www.silencinggenomes.org/
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- Learn more about bioinformatics, biology, genetics, and labs.
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Scientists have discovered thousands of new genes while mapping the genomes of humans, other animals, and plants. Now, they are researching the functions of these genes, in part by using RNA interference (RNAi). The Silencing Genomes site contains a series of laboratories that demonstrate how RNAi functions in a model organism, C. elegans. The experiments progress from the observation of mutant phenotypes, to simple methods of introducing RNAi and exploring its mechanisms, to culminating methods that allow students to silence genes in the C. elegans genome.
Each lab is divided into Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion, Instructor Info, Lab Checklist, and downloadable materials. Up to 10 free worm and/or bacterial strains are available to order for use in experimentation. These are high level scientific laboratories and are recommended for more advanced courses.
For more information about RNAi, go to PBS NOVA scienceNOW RNAi which includes an instructional video segment, teacher’s guide, and links to further resources on the topic.
