DNA
(updated September 5, 2003)

DeoxyriboNucleic Acid is the genetic material we inherit from our parents and pass on to our children. DNA IS a chemical, made of the elements Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Phosphorus. It IS a biochemical, since it is produced (biosynthesized) by living cells.

April 25, 2003, is the 50th anniversary of the report of the structure of DNA. Numerous events are planned all over, including the DC area.

Here are links to resources for celebrating DNA Day (many thanks to Dr. CS Prakash of Tuskegee University and to VivianLee Ward of Access Excellence).

• National DNA DAY is April 25. For more information about celebration activities visit the National Human Genome Research Institute http://www.genome.gov.
• Celebrating 50 Years of DNA: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
• Biology of DNA
• DNA at 50: Finding the Double Helix
  Also: Nobel Laureate James Watson reflects upon his involvement in two
  scientifically and historically significant events. See the Video clip
  of Watson's comments at http://www.dnalc.org/
• Linus Pauling and the Race for DNA: A Documentary History
• DNA from the Beginning: An Animated primer on basics of DNA, Genes and
  Heredity DNA from the Beginning is organized around key concepts. The science
  behind each concept is explained by: animation, image gallery, video
  interviews, problem, biographies, and links
• National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health
• Full Story and other related features reported in the New York Times
  http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/25/science/25HELI.html?ex=1046754000&en=9e5d29e54d05e24a&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE
• Also see the recent Time magazine at http://www.time.com, http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101030217/

	DNA, the Chemical (photo taken at Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology after a Bacterial DNA extraction performed by 9th Graders)
	Try THIS for DNA DAY! Berry Full of DNA Diane Sweeney's wonderful, simple and convenient method for Isolating DNA from Strawberry (kiwi, etc.) (Acrobat .pdf format) (To be published as part of Prentice Hall's Biology: Exploring Life program. See http://www.usingexploringlife.com/ for more information.)
	Try THIS for DNA DAY! Berry Full of DNA Teacher Notes for Strawberry DNA method. In this file you will find preparation instructions and answers to student questions. (Acrobat .pdf format) Contact Diane Sweeney (To be published as part of Prentice Hall's Biology: Exploring Life program. See http://www.usingexploringlife.com/ for more information.)
	Try THIS for DNA DAY! What the strawberry DNA isolation process looks like! It's this easy!
	Agarose Gel of Whole DNA from Plants. DNA from us, frogs, fruitflies, yeast, and even the bacterial chromosome would look the same as these plant samples using these gel conditions. Thanks to Kristi DeCourcy, Laboratory Manager, Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Tech
	Agarose Gel of Restriction Enzyme Digests of Bacteriophage LAMBDA and Plasmid pUC 19. Thanks to Fralin Biotechnology Center, Virginia Tech.
	Polyacrylamide Gel of DNA Sequence. Thanks to Valerie Cash, Fralin Biotechnology Center Virginia Tech.
	DNA Structure Models. You will need to download a molecular visualization application or plug-in (RasMol, CHIME, Cn3D). (CHIME is my favorite but it only works on the IE and Netscape 4 browsers, not Netscape 6) These are professional sotware applications that are FREE and can be loaded onto a school server or your home computer. Check with your school's computer technology system administrator. These all work fine at home too. Just follow the download and installation instructions carefully. This stuff is COOL and the very stuff that scientists use to make molecular models for their own research, experiementation and learning.
	Atomic Cookies (DNA base modeling activity that uses Pla-Dough) word file(.doc)
	DNA Forensics. How to identify an organism, including Homo sapiens (us humans), through the DNA. Click here for a more technical description..
	FBI Forensic DNA Analysis. Description of the CODIS system.
	DNA applications to conservation of endangered species.

Please send notices of inactive sites, errors or suggestions to Dr. Toby Horn thorn@pst.ciw.edu