Genetics Learning Resources

The Jackson Laboratory Genomic Education division specializes in developing lessons, activities, and hands-on laboratory protocols for teaching and learning about genetics and genomics. The resources below include our Teaching the Genome Generation protocols and lessons, Mighty Mice in Space lesson series, and more. Most content is created for high school teachers and students in grades 9-12, but may be suitable for other audiences.

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Programs

Teaching the Genome Generation Program

For Teachers Genetics and Genomics Bioethics Computation and Bioinformatics Molecular Biology Professional Development

The TtGG program offers teacher PD in genetics with NGSS-aligned molecular biology lab protocols, bioinformatics, and bioethics lessons.

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ACE

Genetics and Genomics Gene Sheet

This gene sheet provides details about the ACE gene and the variants examined in the TtGG laboratory protocols.

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ACTN3

Genetics and Genomics Gene Sheet

This gene sheet provides details about the ACTN gene and the variants examined in the TtGG laboratory protocols.

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Bioinformatics Overview

Computation and Bioinformatics

Our Bioinformatics lessons illustrate how computational analyses and big data sets drive important discoveries in genetics and genomics.

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Workshop

Cancer Genetics Workshop

Cancer Genetics and Genomics Modeling Human Disease Computation and Bioinformatics Mouse Technology

Students join three different research teams to learn about cancer genetics and identify treatments for melanoma.

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COVID-19 Case Study

COVID-19

Students learn about COVID-19 diagnostic testing and research career possibilities in a clinical lab.

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CYP

Genetics and Genomics Gene Sheet

This gene sheet provides details about the CYP gene and the variants examined in the TtGG laboratory protocols.

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DNA Extraction - Student Protocol

Molecular Biology Genetics and Genomics

This laboratory protocol instructs students in DNA Extraction and begins the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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DNA Extraction - Teacher Protocol

Molecular Biology For Teachers Genetics and Genomics

This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in DNA Extraction and begins the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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Interactive

Gel Electrophoresis Simulation

Molecular Biology

In this virtual lab simulation, you will learn how to perform gel electrophoresis and determine genotypes of the human ACE gene.

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Gel Electrophoresis - Student Protocol

Molecular Biology Genetics and Genomics

This laboratory protocol instructs students in Gel Electrophoresis and variant detection in the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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Gel Electrophoresis - Teacher Protocol

For Teachers Molecular Biology Genetics and Genomics

This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in Gel Electrophoresis and variant detection in the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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Identify a Variant using BLAST

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Identify variants associated with a rare disorder using BLAST, and assess variant impact on mRNA and protein sequences using percent identity calculations.

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Guidelines & Tools

JAX on LabXchange

Genetics and Genomics Bioethics COVID-19 Cancer Computation and Bioinformatics For Teachers Gene Sheet Mice in Space Modeling Human Disease Molecular Biology Mouse Technology Neurobiology

Find our digital resources on LabXchange, a global science classroom open to every curious mind.

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Mice in Space Lesson 2: Analyzing Data

Mice in Space Genetics and Genomics Modeling Human Disease Mouse Technology

Students graph real data from Mice in Space experiments and interpret the results.

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Mice in Space Lesson 3 Research Project Template

Mice in Space Genetics and Genomics Mouse Technology Modeling Human Disease

A research poster template that serves as an accompaniment to Mice in Space Lesson 3.

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Mice in Space Lesson 1: Making Predictions

Mice in Space Genetics and Genomics Mouse Technology Modeling Human Disease

Students are introduced to the Mice in Space project research goals and predict the outcomes of experiments.

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Mice in Space Lesson 3: Research Project

Mice in Space Mouse Technology Modeling Human Disease Genetics and Genomics

Students embark on their own research project to investigate a human bone or muscle disorder.

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Mice in Space Research Publication

Mice in Space Modeling Human Disease Mouse Technology Genetics and Genomics

Mighty Mice researchers published the first results from their experiments in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.

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Mice in Space Teacher Guide

For Teachers Mice in Space Modeling Human Disease Mouse Technology

Teachers can use this guide to learn about the series of three lessons designed for high school students around the Mighty Mice in Space research project.

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Micropipette Practice - Student Protocol

Molecular Biology

This laboratory protocol instructs students in micropipetting volumes of colored water to make a rainbow from only three primary colors.

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Micropipette Practice - Teacher Protocol

Molecular Biology For Teachers

This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in micropipetting volumes of colored water to make a rainbow from only three primary colors.

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Model Organism Databases Lesson

Computation and Bioinformatics Aging and Alzheimer's Modeling Human Disease Mouse Technology Neurobiology

In this lesson, students assess the validity of a new Alzheimer's Disease therapeutic based on a mouse model.

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OXTR

Genetics and Genomics Gene Sheet

This gene sheet provides details about the OXTR gene and the variants examined in the TtGG laboratory protocols.

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PCR - Student Protocol

Molecular Biology

This laboratory protocol instructs students in the PCR step of the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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PCR - Teacher Protocol

Molecular Biology For Teachers

This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in the PCR step of the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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Guidelines & Tools

Personal Genetics Education Project

Genetics and Genomics Bioethics

Bioethics resources are available through our educational partner, the Personal Genetics Education Project (pgEd).

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Prep for Sequence Analysis - Student Protocol

Molecular Biology Computation and Bioinformatics

This laboratory protocol instructs students in the step to prepare a sample for sequencing in the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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Prep for Sequence Analysis - Teacher Protocol

Molecular Biology For Teachers Computation and Bioinformatics Genetics and Genomics

This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in the step to prepare a sample for sequencing in the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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On Demand Video

TtGG Protocol Video Demos

Molecular Biology Genetics and Genomics For Teachers

Check out our YouTube playlist for video demonstrations of the Teaching the Genome Generation laboratory protocols.

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Restriction Digest - Student Protocol

Molecular Biology Genetics and Genomics

Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences, which can aid in genotyping samples.

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Restriction Digest - Teacher Protocol

Molecular Biology For Teachers Genetics and Genomics

Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences, which can aid in genotyping samples.

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TtGG Sequence Analysis - Student Protocol

Molecular Biology Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

This protocol instructs students in the detection of DNA variants from Sanger sequence files, the final step of the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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TtGG Sequence Analysis - Teacher Protocol

Molecular Biology For Teachers Computation and Bioinformatics Genetics and Genomics

This protocol instructs teachers in the detection of DNA variants from Sanger sequence files, the final step of the TtGG the genotyping experiment.

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TAS2R38

Genetics and Genomics Gene Sheet

This gene sheet provides details about the TAS2R38 gene and the variants examined in the TtGG laboratory protocols.

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The Curious Case of Dr. James Lupski

Computation and Bioinformatics Genetics and Genomics Modeling Human Disease

This case study guides students through publicly available bioinformatics databases to solve a medical mystery.

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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Bioethics

Bioethics Cancer Genetics and Genomics

Discussion prompts focused on the ethics of genetic testing in cancer and consent.

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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Exploring Hereditary Cancer

Cancer Genetics and Genomics

Student activity to sort real patient data on the cBioPortal and to learn about hereditary cancer.

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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Genes & Environment

Cancer Genetics and Genomics

Student activity with graphical analyses to demonstrate how environmental factors contribute to cancer risk.

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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Identifying Hereditary Cancer

Cancer Genetics and Genomics

Student activity to uncover hereditary cancer using BLAST to perform DNA sequence comparisons.

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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Introduction

Cancer Genetics and Genomics

Introduction to the module theme of newborn sequencing and cancer genetics.

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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Project

Cancer Genetics and Genomics

Student inquiry project using cBioPortal to find and analyze data and determine if specific gene variants are associated with hereditary cancer.

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Lesson Plan

TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Teacher Guide

Cancer Genetics and Genomics For Teachers

Full teacher guide with lesson descriptions, implementation strategies, NGSS alignments, and supporting materials.

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Lesson Plan

Teaching the Genome Generation Curriculum Overview

For Teachers Genetics and Genomics Bioethics Computation and Bioinformatics Molecular Biology

The TtGG program offers teachers a modern genetics curriculum with NGSS-aligned molecular biology lab protocols, bioinformatics, and…

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TtGG Connecting Protein Structure & Function

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Student activity using bioinformatics tools PolyPhen-2, UniProt, and BLAST to investigate how a DNA variant can impact protein structure and…

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TtGG Sequencing for Rare Disease Diagnosis: Final Reflection & Bioethics

Bioethics Genetics and Genomics

Reflection on guiding questions and bioethics discussion about rare disease research and inequities in access.

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TtGG Sequencing for Rare Disease Diagnosis: Scenario

Bioethics Genetics and Genomics

Reading and questions to introduce second module theme. Focuses on a family who participated in a rare disease research study.

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TtGG Sequence Comparison with ACE

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Student activity using ACE to practice applying sequence comparison and percent identity calculations between individuals and across species.

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TtGG Sequence Comparison with ACTN3

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Student activity using ACTN3 to practice applying sequence comparison and percent identity calculations between individuals and across species.

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TtGG Sequence Comparison with CYP2C19

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Student activity using CYP2C19 to practice applying sequence comparison and percent identity calculations between individuals and across species.

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TtGG Sequence Comparison & Identity: Introduction

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Reading and knowledge check that introduce sequence comparison and percent identity calculations.

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TtGG Sequence Comparison with OXTR

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Student activity using OXTR to practice applying sequence comparison and percent identity calculations between individuals and across species.

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TtGG Sequence Comparison with TAS2R38

Genetics and Genomics Computation and Bioinformatics

Student activity using TAS2R38 to practice applying sequence comparison and percent identity calculations between individuals and across species.

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Lesson Plan

TtGG Sequence Comparison & Identity Module: Teacher Guide

Genetics and Genomics For Teachers Computation and Bioinformatics

Full teacher guide with lesson descriptions, implementation strategies, NGSS alignments, and supporting materials.

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Programs

Virtual Open House

Genetics and Genomics Bioethics Computation and Bioinformatics Molecular Biology COVID-19 Cancer Neurobiology Modeling Human Disease STEM

Students and teachers are invited to visit our labs virtually. Meet scientists, explore career paths, tour the lab, jump into activities, and more!

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Wikipedia vs. OMIM

Computation and Bioinformatics Genetics and Genomics

Students will "jump into bioinformatics" by exploring two databases in search of specific genetic information.

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