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Teaching Biology Through Bioinformatics. Real world genomics research in your classroom. Kim B. Foglia Division Ave. High School Levittown. Stuart M. Brown, PhD Director of Research Computing NYU School of Medicine. Bioinformatics.
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Teaching Biology Through Bioinformatics Real world genomics research in your classroom Kim B. Foglia Division Ave. High School Levittown Stuart M. Brown, PhD Director of Research Computing NYU School of Medicine
Bioinformatics • Use of computers to analyze genomic data for molecular biology research • basic biological research • medical research • clinical medicine application • taxonomy
Bioinformatics is a great way to learn biology • Using computers to study primary biological data (genomes, proteins, other databases) • students learn biology as a dynamic process of interpreting complex data • students can reproduce current scientific work & ask new questions • science is no longer just a collection of facts in a textbook, it’s a process of inquiry
Teaching Biology with Bioinformatics • Bioinformatics tools lead directly to insights about genes, proteins, evolution • “Hey! Most human genes have more bases of introns than they do exons.” • “Hemoglobin sequences show that seals are closer to weasels than they are to whales.” • “Protein shapes determine their function, so small changes can make a big difference.”
All you need… • Students can work on bioinformatics questions at low cost • only need Internet connected computers • most database tools are free on Internet • unlimited data • GenBank, protein structures, mutations, microarrays, etc. • teacher knowledge & “comfort” • questions to answer
What we offer… • Teaching modules • inquiry labs • student & teacher lab handouts • supporting teaching resources • PowerPoint presentations • Supplemental skills modules • Download from Web site • http://bio.kimunity.com
Modules in development • Testing for Sickle Cell Anemia • develop a genetic diagnostic test to screen for disease • Endosymbiosis • evolutionary history mitochondria & chloroplasts • Hemophilia Gene Therapy • build a vector and insert correct gene • Are Seals and Whales Related? • studying evolutionary relationships