BioEd Online

Gene U: Genetics and Inheritance

The fields of genetics and genomics are evolving rapidly and yielding exciting discoveries almost every day. Baylor College of Medicine’s Gene U project is creating and testing science and health curricular resources designed to introduce these subjects to middle and early high school teachers and students. Gene U covers topics such as the importance of family history in understanding disease risk, significance and genetic variability of the microorganisms on and within our bodies (human microbiome), and other emerging areas of research.

Content linked below includes a wide variety of genetics/genomics-based resources for educators, including complete undergraduate courses (available for professional development contact hours), video and slide presentations, and related materials for use in your classroom.

Gene U is funded by the Science Education Partnership Award program Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health. Development of the Genes, Health, and Society courses were funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Complete Teacher's Guide

Teacher Guide

Complex Traits Guide for Teachers

Students use the domestic dog as a model to learn about genetics, mutations, phenotypes genetic mutations related to desirable characteristics and harmful effects in certain dog breeds. (6 activities)

Slide Set

Complex Traits Classroom Slides

This slide set is designed for use with activities found in Complex Traits Guide for Teachers.

Teacher Guide

Introduction to the Microbiome Guide for Teachers

Students explore the human microbiome through scientific articles, in-depth and hands-on activites, and by answering thought-provoking questions. (6 activities)

Genetics/Genomics Courses

Courses

Genes, Health and Society

This comprehensive course explores genetics and genomics in three discrete modules: Transmission Genetics, The Nature of Genetic Material, and Medical Genetics and Genomics.
Requires registration.
(20 contact hours per module)

Course

An Introduction to Genes and Inherited Traits

Explore background information about genes and physical characteristics of offspring to help when introducing students to heredity and inheritable traits.
Requires registration.
(3 contact hours)

Course

Seminal Experiments in Genetics

Examine 15 discoveries that advanced our knowledge of genetics over the past 150 years, leading to a greater understanding of how traits are passed from generation to generation.
Requires registration.
(6 contact hours)

Course

Key Advances in Genetics

Learn about key advances in genetics over the last two decades, and examine the fields of proteomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and behavioral genomics.
Requires registration.
(6 contact hours)

Individual Lessons: Genetics

Free, downloadable classroom lessons for teaching your students about heredity, genetics and genomics.

Lesson

Dogs—A Model for Modern Genetics

Students explore variation among dog breeds, and compare variation within domesticated dogs to variation within wolves and other canids.

Lesson

Genotyping a Mixed Breed Dog

Students follow the case study of a “mutt,” whose breed identity is uncovered by its owners through commercial genotyping. 

Lesson

Mapping a Mutation

Students learn about the genetic code and how small substitutions within the code can lead to physical changes in individuals, and use authentic data to uncover the SNP responsible for long hair in dogs.

Lesson

Genotypes and Phenotypes

Students learn about how a change in the nucleotide sequence affects phenotype. They predict the outcomes of crosses between short- and long-haired dachshunds.

Lesson

Categorizing Hair Types in Dogs

Students explore phenotypic differences in hair types found in the coats of different dog breeds, as they begin to learn about complex traits. 

Lesson

Genetic Testing and Designer Dogs

Students learn about three examples where genetic mutations are related both to desirable characteristics and to harmful effects in certain dog breeds. 

X or Y: Does It Make a Difference?

In this classroom activity, students learn and explain the significance of differences in X and Y chromosomes in the human genome.

View this lesson Download PDF Video Digital Slide Set

Lesson

Reebops

The “Reebops” lesson demonstrates, and helps students to understand, how genetic composition leads to both similarities and variation among members of the same species.

Related Video and Slide Presentations

Explore BioEd Online’s library of videos and peer-reviewed, annotated slides related to genetics and genomics. All are free for classroom use.

Presentations

Evenings with Genetics

This series of 10 seminars offers families, teachers and health care providers current information on care, education and research related to a variety of genetic conditions.

Video

A 3D Map of the Human Genome

The human genome is two meters long but fits inside the microscopic nucleus of a cell. The genome also modulates the function of each cell so that the cells operate differently. What makes this happen? Suhas Rao and Miriam Huntley of the Aiden Lab describe a 3D map of the human genome at kilobase resolution, revealing the principles of chromatin looping.

Presentation

Introduction to Animal Behavior

Explore the distinctions and interactions between inherited and learned behaviors in animals.

Presentation

Introduction to Biological Classification

Explore how different organisms are classified and learn about binomial nomenclature, the seven taxonomic categories, and dichotomous keys.

Heredity

Discover what determines inherited traits, examine Mendelian genetics and learn about pedigrees.

Video Digital Slide Set

Video

How Does DNA Fold? The Loop Extrusion Model

The human genome is two meters long, but it fits inside the microscopic nucleus of a cell. How is this possible? Research conducted in the Aiden Lab at Baylor College of Medicine suggests that the genome achieves this feat by forming loops and domains through a process called extrusion.

Molecular Genetics

What are genetics and genomics? In this series, research scientists explain how they unravel secrets of our genetic heritage. They also discuss advances in/applications of genomic medicine.

Video Digital Slide Set

Slide Set

The Structure of Cells

Each cell, whether prokaryotic or eukarotic, contains a structural, functional and biological purpose. Discover more about the structure of cells.

Nature News Stories

Additional Resources

Slide Set

Species Concepts and Reproductive Isolating Barriers

What is a “species,” and how do scientists determine which organisms to group together? This slide set explains scientific debates and processes related to the identification of different species.

Hot Topic

Embryonic Stem Cells

To understand the stem cell debate, it is important to know what stem cells are and the types of research for which they are used. Learn more about this important issue, and the efforts being made to advance the possibilities of stem cell research.

Slide Set

Modes of Speciation

The study of speciation (formation of new species) can be envisioned as an investigation of how populations evolve genetic distinctiveness and become reproductively separate. View this slide set to learn more.

Stem Cells and Cloning

Joseph G. Marx, PhD, discusses the cloning process, types and functions of stem cells, medical possibilities of stem cell research, and controversies surrounding this field.

Video Digital Slide Set

Resource

Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms

The National Human Genome Research Institute created the Talking Glossary of Genetic Terms to help everyone understand the terms and concepts used in genetic research.