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Websites - Educational Links

Microarrays Mediabook: Learning to Read the Dots."

Campbell, AM, 2006. at http://gcat.davidson.edu/Pirelli/index.htm.

Intro. Comments:

Undergraduates can get up to speed on gene chips with the Microarrays MediaBook, a snazzy animated tutorial hosted by biology professor A. Malcolm Campbell of Davidson College in North Carolina. Using the example of yeast cells growing with and without oxygen, the site leads readers through the basics of making and interpreting microarrays. Students can then dig deeper into techniques for analyzing results. They can learn about hierarchical clustering to identify genes that might work together and the significance of fold changes, the alteration in gene activity compared with controls.

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Teaching resources for genetics

Haga, SB, 2006. Nat Rev Genetics 7(3):223-229

Abstract

Genetics education is essential for preparing the public to engage in an informed debate about the future of genetics research and how its applications affect human health and the environment. This article provides an overview of genetics education resources that are available online, and is relevant to students in secondary education, health professionals, geneticists and the public. It also describes an integrated approach to teaching genetics, emphasizes the need for continuing teacher education, and encourages the involvement of geneticists and health professionals in providing a teaching resource.

Journal Link | PMID

Comment

This article covers web based resources for genetics and genomics from middle school to medical school. While some of the sites are too elementary, there is a wealth of visual and action video material usable for teaching genetics and "molecular biology" to medical students. A site of particular use for medical school teaching is "Genetics through a primary care lens" out of U of Washington in Seattle. http://www.genetictools.org Check out the "Teaching Cases" tab. Also try http://www.genetests.org/ the first part of the URL when you get sent to Genetic Tools. Genetests has wonderful reviews of inherited reviews that are frequently more userfriendly than OMIM.

The National Human Genome Research Institute    http://www.genome.gov/

Comment

Information about the Human Genome Project and the National Human Genome Research Institute, research, grants, health, policy and ethics, educational resources, careers and training, as well as genomics in the news. The educational materials include a talking glossary of terms, fact sheets, genetic education modules for teachers, and links to other online genetics education resources.  

Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=OMIM

Comment

A database of human genes and genetic disorders authored and edited by Dr. Victor A. McKusick and his colleagues at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere. The database contains textual information and references. It also contains copious links to MEDLINE and sequence records in the Entrez system, and links to additional related resources at NCBI and elsewhere.

GenetTests   http://www.geneclinics.org/

Comment

A publicly funded medical genetics information resource developed for physicians, other healthcare providers, and researchers. Includes:  

  • GeneReviews: Online publication of expert-authored disease reviews Genetic Disease Online Reviews Index

  • Laboratory Directory: International directory of genetic testing laboratories Genetic Laboratory Tests Index.

  • Clinic Directory: International directory of genetics and prenatal diagnosis clinics

  • Educational Materials: includes an Illustrated glossary, information about genetic services, and PowerPoint® slide presentations.

The Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) http://www.cidr.jhmi.edu/index.html

Comment

The Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) is a centralized facility that provides genotyping and statistical genetics services for investigators seeking to identify genes that contribute to human disease. CIDR concentrates primarily on multifactorial hereditary disease although analysis of single gene disorders can also be accommodated. CIDR is available to all investigators through competitive peer review by a chartered CIDR Access Committee (CAC). CIDR offers a variety of services to meet the needs of investigators.

The Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/

Comment

Great site for definitions and explanations of the basics. Includes:

  • Genetic Reference Series: The Basics and Beyond, The Biotechniques Virtual Laboratory, Do it yourself Genetic Research.

  • Genome Science Series: Stem cells, cloning, gene therapy, personalized medicine

  • The Genetics of Health Series: Understanding genetic disorders, the new science of addiction, using family history to improve your health.

The Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base (PharmGKB) http://www.pharmgkb.org/

Comment

PharmGKB curates information that establishes knowledge about the relationships among drugs, diseases and genes, including their variations and gene products. This site includes a list of genes with pharmacogenetic variants, literature, drugs, pathways, diseases, phenotypes, and annotated PGx genes.

The CDC’s Genomics and Health Weekly Update http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/update/current.htm

Comment

This weekly update provides information about the impact of human genetic research on disease prevention & public health. Under the Search Genomics menu, there are sections on Family History, Genomics in Practice, Genetic Testing, Population Research, a page for the General Public, and Public Health Perspectives.

The Genomic Imprinting Website (Geneimprint) http://www.geneimprint.com/site/home

Comment

Geneimprint is a portal into the burgeoning field of genomic imprinting, collecting relevant articles and reviews, press reports, video and audio lectures, and genetic information. It has a page describing “What is imprinting?” with a basic explanation of imprinting and references, and a current list of all identified imprinted genes.

Human Genome Project Information http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml

Comment

Includes information about the HGP, research, education, medicine, ethical, legal and social issues. Great for definitions and clear explanations, and a useful FAQs page.

Genomic competencies for the public health worker.

National Office of Public Health Genomics, at http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/training/competencies/default.htm

Information about the role of genes in health and disease is evolving rapidly because of the mapping of all human genes by the Human Genome Project. The number and types of genetic tests and services now available commercially are growing exponentially, and public health workers are increasingly aware of the potential role of genetic information in preventing common diseases. Everyone involved in public health should become aware of these advances and begin to incorporate genomic competencies into their public health specialties.

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