Alzheimer’s researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have made an amazing breakthrough that is being hailed as “a giant step forward” and “a paradigm shifter.” Researchers Rudolf E. Tanzi and Doo Yeon Kim were able to grow human brain cells in a petri dish and give the cells a genetic mutation for Alzheimer’s Disease. The cells formed the defining characteristics of Alzheimer’s, known as plagues and tangles. The discovery will hopefully allow researchers to test many drugs more quickly than they have previously been able to on mice. Read more about the breakthrough here and here.
In the News
An event that our teacher friends may find useful: NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins will be hosting a Facebook Live event on Monday, Dec 10th from 3:15-45 pm ET, where he will take questions from middle school students from across the US. You are invited to livestream this event to your classroom and submit your students' questions in the event feed's comments section!
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
How can you start a career in STEM? Join NIH Director & geneticist Dr. Francis Collins on December 10, 2018 at 3:15 pm ET for a conversation featuring Johnson Creek Middle School on becoming a scientist. Dr. Collins will be taking questions from middle school students from across the U.S.!
Posted by pgEd 2 weeks ago
In light of the reports of the first children born after having their genes edited as embryos, pgEd is developing a mini-lesson to aid teachers in discussing this subject with their students. The article below presents the facts as they are currently known. This is a developing story with many pieces still unclear. As more information becomes available, we will add links to resources and news stories in the comments.The mini-lesson will build on pgEd's 2017 lesson plan on genetic engineering and CRISPR (see link below to download for free).
Chinese researcher claims birth of first gene-edited babies - STAT
statnews.com
A Chinese researcher claims that he helped make the world's first genetically edited babies — twin girls whose DNA he said he altered with CRISPR.Posted by pgEd 3 weeks ago
A little context based on a question I've heard - what is CCR5, the gene that was altered in the embryos that gave rise to the children? Its a gene that we all have - and in very rare cases, people might have versions that make them resistant to HIV infection. Read about the "Berlin Patient" -the first person cured of HIV as a result of a transplant from a donor with this genetic variation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4287108/
http://pged.org/lesson-plans/#crispr
Thank you!
Lisa Cardillo Liz McMillan
pgEd's Johnny Kung recently wrote in the blog of Addgene, the nonprofit repository for genetic tools, about pgEd's work and how he made the transition from bench science. Read his post here!
Engaging with science and society at pgEd
blog.addgene.org
Learn how the Personal Genetics Education Project (pgEd) engages with various communities and discusses developments in biological science and technology. Get tips on how to work at a...Posted by pgEd 3 months ago
Tomorrow (Sat, 9/15), pgEd will be at the 5th annual STEAM Expo at Newton Free Library. Come visit our booth if you're in the area!
eventbrite.com
No registration is necessary. Join us for our fifth annual STEAM Expo as part of our ongoing programming for all ages related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ...Posted by pgEd 3 months ago
pgEd has had a very busy and productive summer. Check out what we've been up to in our latest blogpost!
A busy summer for pgEd! – pgEd
pged.org
The Personal Genetics Education Project raises awareness and sparks conversation about the potential benefits as well as the ethical, legal, and social implications of personal genetics&pe...Posted by pgEd 4 months ago