dna 50...the secret of life
April 25th 1953 was a momentous day for science. James Watson and Francis Crick had finally uncovered the structure of DNA, the molecule behind all life on Earth, and their results were published in the journal Nature. This was probably the single most important discovery of the 20th century.
There are loads of great websites and online resources available to help you explore and hey CELEBRATE! this amazing landmark.
We've rounded up a few of the best (please let us know if we've missed any other good ones)
all about DNA
Two of the best sites we've found that explain and explore the wonderful world of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are:
The National Centre for Biotechnology Education
The history of discovering DNA, plus learning resources and loads of fun activities.
The official DNA50 website
This site also features a DNA discovery timeline, and gives details of related events around the country.
events around the UK
The Royal Society, the Medical Research Council and Nature are coordinating a range of events that will take place across the world right through until February 2004.
These include public lectures and debates on hot topics such as GM foods, interactive exhibitions, hands-on workshops and resources. A listing of all the events can be found at www.dna50.org.uk where you can list events by date, region or organisation.
activities
Build your own DNA molecule from sweets
It looks pretty... and all leftovers can be eaten!
Extracting DNA from Onions
Here's a way to get up close and personal with some deoxyribonucleic acid for yourself.
learning resources
Who Am I?
Check out a huge range of activities and games all about genetics and DNA, specially created for classroom use.
DNA Interactive
This resource contains information on DNA, it's discovery, how DNA can be manipulated. It introduces the genome and looks at the applications and implications of DNA science.
Many scientists, including more than ten Nobel Laureates, contributed to the site through interviews about how we came to understand the DNA language of life, how we began to bend it to our own service, what it can tell us about who we are and how our lives may be in the future.
For teachers, it has a tool that allows you to build your own multimedia lessons from the extensive database of video, animations, photographs, and graphics. It also includes a downloadable interactive lesson that lets students use forensic science to solve the mystery of Anastasia.
DNA Workshop
Go inside a cell and build you own DNA molecule or have a bash at protein synthesis. (You'll need Shockwave for this.)
The Biotechnology & Biological sciences Research Council
Check out the projects the BBSRC are funding to get the DNA message across, including the touring exhibition, 'DNA in the Garden'.
DNA - the future
Science has come along way since 1953. The applications of the discovery of the structure of DNA have been huge. Here are some uses of DNA technology..
Solving Crimes...
DNA 'fingerprinting' has become key tool in forensic investigations.
How Stuff Works: DNA Evidence
GM Food
GM stands for 'genetic modification'. This means the DNA has been altered in some way. Much research is being done into this at the moment, but as you'll know from the news, it's so far been controversial, as nobody knows whether GM technology could cause problems in the future.:
Get an overview of the debate at
www.gmpublicdebate.org.uk/
Cloning
Cloning was once the stuff of sci-fi movies, but sheep, Mice, Cows, Pigs and cats have all now been cloned. In the future we may even have the technology to clone humans - but this is another highly controversial topic.
For a snapshot of the debate have a look at this BBC overview.
been inspired?
Do you like the idea of being on the cutting edge of science? Finding out why and how we work? If so, a career in sciences might be for you.
Why don't you go to the NEXT STEPS section of our web site and check out what real scientists are up to in our Meet Your Match database? (Full site only).
PS: curriculum links for teachers...
Although DNA is not brought into the curriculum until KS4, it's still relevant to KS1-3 through related subjects such as variation.
KS1: Sc2 4a (Variation and classification)
KS2: Sc2 1 b (Life processes)
KS3: Sc2 1b, d 7e (Cells and Cell function) and Sc2 4 a (Variation)
KS4 single: Sc2 1a & b, 3a-g (Variation, inheritance and Evolution)
KS4 double: Sc2 1 c & d (Cell activity) and 4a,b, c, e and (Variation, inheritance and Evolution)
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