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A cornerstone of modern biomedical research is the use of mouse models to explore basic pathophysiological mechanisms, evaluate new therapeutic approaches, and make go or no-go decisions to carry new drug candidates forward into clinical trials. Systematic studies evaluating how well murine models mimic human inflammatory diseases are nonexistent. Here, we show that, although acute inflammatory stresses from different etiologies result in highly similar genomic responses in humans, the responses in corresponding mouse models correlate poorly with the human conditions and also, one another.

Reference page cellular facts: cell size, lenth, division, concentration, energy, diffusion, genomic information, and mutation rates.

This lesson examines issues stemming from genetic databanks and population genetics studies

This interactive case discussion was created to emphasize the clinical relevance of population genetics, but is also a suitable resource for teaching the basic principles of population genetics while relating them to human genetic variation. Our understanding of human genetic variation has deepened over the past decade due to fine-scale genome mapping. Applying this knowledge to the evaluation of ancestry-based genetic testing strategies, such as direct-to-consumer genetic testing, is an important component of the practice of culturally-competent medicine and a relevant way to teach the foundations of population genetics, including Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

3:40 video A dynamic, 3-D, computer-animated video that takes you "inside" for a close-up look at how we're made. Watch as the mysteries of the Human Genome are literally "unraveled."

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Published on Sep 18, 2013 A short animation detailing how autosomal recessive inheritance works. A resource from the NHS National Genetics and Genomics Education Centre. http://www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk/

Redwood trees, those ancient living monuments to California's past, are as mysterious to science as they are magnificent, so a team of researchers led by a San Francisco conservation group is attempting to unlock the genetic secrets of the towering conifers. Scientists affiliated with the nonprofit Save the Redwoods League are attempting for the first time to sequence the genomes of coast redwood trees and their higher-elevation cousins, the giant sequoias, a complex and expensive undertaking that experts hope will help preserve the trees' ancient groves as the climate changes over the next century.

This directed case study was developed to introduce students to the CRISPR-Cas9 system for genome editing. CRISPR-Cas9 has made numerous headlines in both the scientific and popular press, and thus serves as an excellent model for learning current biotechnology and applying concepts from biology courses. After providing a general overview of CRISPR-Cas9, the majority of the case focuses on the clinical applications of the system as experienced by a carrier for the X-linked recessive allele underlying Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The case is structured so that students use a variety of popular and scientific sources (some of which may require a subscription to access-check with your institution), increasing in difficulty as they move through each part of the case. The goals are for students to learn the molecular mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9, the benefits and limitations of the system, and the clinical applications of the technology. Open-ended questions are included to spark discussion of ethical considerations, societal impacts, and the overall implications of the technology.

video clips of diverse women scientists and STEM role models  3700 video clips from 160 inspiring women - biochemists, biomedical researchers, chemists, forensic scientists, geneticists, genomic sciences, geologists, icthylogists, meterologists, oceanographers

This 8-minute video is derived from the 2013 Holiday Lectures on Science. In it, Dr. Charles Sawyers explains the difference between proto-oncogenes, oncogenes, and tumor suppressor genes, and how mutations in these genes drive cancer development. "Cancer genes" can affect several cellular processes that he groups into three categories: cell growth and survival (i.e., genes involved in the cell cycle, cell fate (i.e., genes involved in cell differentiation), and genome maintenance (i.e, genes involved in DNA repair.)

One of the most important molecules relating to cancer is called p53. This Click and Learn explains the structure and function of the p53 protein as well as how the protein's activity is regulated. Learn why p53 is called the guardian of the genome and how interfering with its function can lead to cancer.

This interrupted case is based on a genome wide association study (GWAS) that identified the genetic variation causing some inhabitants of the Solomon Islands to have blond hair. The case illustrates the connection between genotype and phenotype, and an application of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The narrative focusses on John and his new roommate, Peter, from the Solomon Islands who happens to have dark skin and blond hair. Using thought-provoking questions students learn about the genetics and the biochemistry of the hair color trait and how a single genetic variation can influence phenotype. Is migration or mutation involved?  Upon completion of the activity students will know the source of the genetic variation that causes the blond hair phenomenon in the Solomon Islands and if it has any European origins. The case was written for an upper-level genetics course, but could also be adapted for introductory biology or for a genetics course for non-majors. An optional PowerPoint presentation with clicker questions is available for download from within the Answer Key.

In a unique twist on human genomics studies that seek to identify genetic variants linked to human disease, researchers have combined whole-exome sequencing of 50,726 adults with the individuals' long-term electronic health record (EHR) data. The effort, by researchers at the Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania and Regeneron Genetics Center, a subsidiary of New York-based Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, has yielded novel disease-linked variants, including loss-of-function alleles. The team behind the project, called DiscovEHR, has also found that about one in 30 of the individuals harbors a deleterious genetic variant for which a screen or treatment already exists. The group's analysis is described in two papers published today (December 22) in Science.

The advent of increasingly powerful and inexpensive DNA sequencing methods is changing many aspects of genetics research. In particular, human genome sequencing is transforming our understanding of many aspects of human biology and medicine. However, we must be careful to remember that genes alone do not determine our futures-environmental factors and chance also play important roles.

In a first, scientists led by Kamel Khalili, director of the Comprehensive NeuroAIDS Center at Temple University, report in the journal Gene Therapy that they have for the first time successfully eliminated HIV genes from the genomes of mice and rats infected with the virus.

She says people became much more willing to talk about their genetic predispositions and seek out testing for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and cystic fibrosis. The number of patients seeking genetic counseling and testing has increased dramatically, according to a 2014 study that looked at how Jolie's announcement affected interest in testing. But the number of genetic counselors, the people who help both doctors and patients make sense of these tests, hasn't expanded enough to keep up with that demand. There are just 4,000 certified genetic counselors in the country today. That's one for every 80,000 Americans.

The fates of ice age human groups in Europe were closely linked to climate change, according to an unprecedented study of the genomes of 51 individuals who lived between 45,000 years ago (when modern humans arrived in Europe) and 7,000 years ago. "We see multiple, huge movements of people displacing previous ones," David Reich of the Harvard Medical School said. "During this first four-fifths of modern human history in Europe, history is just as complicated as it is during the last fifth that we know so much more about." 

In this case, developed for an introductory genetics class, students meet a woman whose family has a history of colon cancer. Students create a pedigree based on information from the case and discuss what it means to be genetically predisposed to cancer. Using bioinformatics tools from the NCBI database, students identify and examine the mutation in the woman's APC gene that results in genetic predisposition to colon cancer. Finally, they investigate the biological function of the APC protein to understand why this mutation contributes to the development of cancer and determine whether APC is a proto-oncogene, tumor suppressor gene, or genome stability gene.