NEW Resources from HHMI Blog!

A new Central Dogma interactive, an eye-opening image, and a new documentary! Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. OCTOBER 11, 2017

A Dogmatic Approach Trace the flow of information from gene to protein in a new interactive that allows students to explore DNA transcription, splicing, and translation. See how genetic medicine can intervene at different stages of gene expression to attenuate the effects of genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, that arise from mutations in single genes.

Spotlight on: Gene Expression

Express Yourself The Central Dogma is central to every biology course. Want a handy reminder of our classic resources on gene expression? Check out our teacher guide for everything you need to teach “gene to protein,” including a standards alignment to NGSS, AP® Biology, and IB Biology.

Image of the Week

Top Notch Model The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is a valuable model organism in biomedical research. Here, see a fly eye stained for the Notch protein, which is involved in cell-to-cell communication and cell fate. Proteins like Notch were first characterized in fruit flies and subsequently found in other organisms, including humans, where they play similar roles.

Featured Animation

Close Encounters For genes to be expressed, transcription factors have to bind specific sequences in DNA. In this animation, see single molecules of the transcription factors Sox2 and Oct4 randomly interact with non-target DNA sequences before binding to their specific target.

Events and Announcements

The Gene Doctors See doctors apply the tools of molecular biology to treat genetic diseases like the ones featured in the Central Dogma Interactive. The Gene Doctors, a new feature-length movie from HHMI Tangled Bank Studios airing on PBS-affiliate stations, takes viewers to the front-lines of a medical revolution.

Educator Tip

Switch Hit One of the resources I like to use with my AP Biology classes is “Modeling the regulatory switches of the Pitx1gene in stickleback fish.” I use this when we move from prokaryotic to eukaryotic gene regulation. We watch the short film, “The Making of the Fittest: Evolving Switches, Evolving Bodies.” Students are a little skeptical at first, but are impressed when they see the deleted gene switch for pelvic expression in freshwater fish. We then work in pairs or small groups to complete the activity. Although the activity as published calls for using pipe cleaners and markers, I let the students choose how they want to model the switches. I have a number of craft supplies available – pipe cleaners, beads, yarn, fun foam shapes, Play-Doh, chalk markers, colored paper, construction paper, card-stock, etc. – so they can use what works best for their interpretation. Doing this modeling activity helps them understand more concretely how gene expression varies in different tissues, and how seemingly small changes in DNA can make one group better adapted to its environment than another. – Vanita Vance (College Station HS, TX)