Educational Materials & Teaching Tools
The following links may be useful to educators searching for suitable classroom material on genomics, systems biology, and microbes. These materials provide resources for educators to enhance existing curricula.
- The
Genomics:GTL Biofuels Primer (May 2007) is a two-page, 11" x 17" color
document in two parts.
- Part 1: From Biomass to Cellulosic Ethanol. Depicts the process used to convert biomass (plant matter) into cellulosic ethanol and the improvements needed to optimize these processes.
- Part 2: Understanding Biomass: Plant Cell Walls. Explains plant cell-wall structure and some issues preventing their efficient conversion to ethanol.
- Image Gallery
- Genomics:GTL Reports on GTL science, biofuels, climate stabilization, and bioremediation
- Library of Documents Related to GTL Research. Links to government reports, ASM reports, NAS reports, National Plant Genome Initiative, and more.
- Virtual Library: Genetics (includes plant and microbial genomes)
- Primer on Microbial Genomics covers the basic science of microbial genetics research
- U.S. Department of Energy, Microbial Genome Program Report, February 2000. History and importance of the study of microbes to the Department of Energy
- The Microbial World: A Challenging Frontier focuses on the vast and genetically rich resource of the microbes.
- The Termite Gut: Nature’s Microbial Bioreactor for Digesting Wood and Making Biofuels. A collaboration of researchers has sequenced and analyzed microbial DNA extracted from the guts of hundreds of termites harvested from a nest in a Costa Rican rainforest.
- Photosynthetic Production of Hydrogen from Water. Under certain conditions green algae and cyanobacteria can produce hydrogen gas (H2).
Supplemental Material
- Bioenergy Research Centers
- DOE BioEnergy Science Center Education and Outreach
- DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center Education and Outreach
-
Immobilizing Enzymes for Useful Service
Researchers at DOE's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed a technology to immobilize high concentrations of active enzymes—harnessing twice the activity than that of enzymes in free solution. Results of this research are reported in the August 2002 Journal of the American Chemical Society. (See Quicktime movie (3572 KB). Courtesy of artist Mike Perkins and PNNL's Molecular Science Computing Facility. Download Quicktime 6.0) - National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) developing a workforce training resource
- Micro*scope, tool for exploring microbes, presented by Marine Biological Laboratory
- Bugs in the News!
- Microbes: Coming Into Focus, 2002 issue of Your World: Biotechnology and You magazine
- The DNA Files, 2001 & 1998 NPR Radio Programs
- "Pass the Genes, Please: Gene Swapping Muddles the History of Microbes," Science News Online, July 22, 2000
- American Society for Microbiology (ASM) sites:
- Microbe Library: An educational program of ASM
- Microbe World. Explore bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. Microbial facts and trivia. Vivid images of microbes like bacteria and algae. (Brought to you by ASM, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy)
- Biotoon: The Book of Life According to Bacteria, flash presentation
- Mysteries of Microbes: Fascinating Fieldwork presented by NASA Astrobiology Institute
- Digital Learning Center Microbe Zoo
- Microbial Genetics Glossary
Supplemental Material from the Human Genome Project Information Web Site
