David Reese is executive vice president of research and development for the Amgen Corporation. On this episode of The Xchange, David helps demystify the process of drug development, discusses the unique challenges that COVID-19 presents, and shares his thoughts on STEM career paths today. Join us for “From a Molecule to a Medicine” on the Xchange. A new virtual interview series from LabXchange at Harvard University, the Xchange showcases the diverse roles, projects, and initiatives that make up the intersecting fields of science, education, and health. Hosted by LabXchange Faculty Director Robert Lue, our first season features a range of perspectives on the impact of COVID-19.

To reinforce students' understanding of the human digestion process, the functions of several stomach and small intestine fluids are analyzed, and the concept of simulation is introduced through a short, introductory demonstration of how these fluids work. Students learn what simulation means and how it relates to the engineering process, particularly in biomedical engineering. The teacher demo requires vinegar, baking soda, water and aspirin.

In this video, discover why evolution is important to our understanding of disease prevention and treatment in Russia and around the world.

This pathway explores innovations in biotechnology that have revolutionized aspects of modern life like agriculture, forensics and medicine.

Review the risks, benefits, hopes, and fears associated with biotechnology and bioengineered food crops. Find in-depth interviews with genetic scientists, food industry representatives, farmers, and critics of biotechnology. Accompanying interactives let you compare traditional and transgenic methods of breeding plants and examine new ideas for genetically modified foods now in development.

What are GMOs? How is genetic modification done? Can genetic modification help to reduce the impact of human activities on natural systems? Plasmids are DNA that determine the traits of bacteria. Transform bacteria by inserting a plasmid and examine the results of this transformation. Compare this process to the techniques currently used in food production.

Taking advantage of fluorescence has greatly increased the arsenal of laboratory techniques to study biological processes.

This simulation introduces gel electrophoresis, a technique used to
separate biological molecules. In this simulation, gel electrophoresis is
used to separate dyes and visualize them in an agarose gel.

Join us for a talk on gene cloning by Richard Sherwood, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Molecular cloning is essential to research in genetics and cell biology. Dr. Sherwood will share how his lab uses molecular cloning to power their work in genetics and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Recorded live July 28, 2020.

Part of a series exploring the biotechnology of gene therapy. This section takes a look at some of the challenges faced in gene therapy and complications that have resulted during trial research.

This video examines the threat of a virus being spread from birds to humans, and then from humans to humans. It details the mechanisms viruses use to infect cells, and explores how mutations in a virus may change its virulence and how it can spread. It also looks at work being done with a re-created flu virus -- from the deadly 1918 strain -- that may help prevent future flu pandemics. [5:08]

Georgetown University site with a lengthy article on many aspects of gene therapy. Includes background and historical information and numerous resources on the topic. Focus here is on the ethics of these types of therapies.

There is a lot of resistance to genetic modification and the use of genetically modified crops. What is the science? This unit helps to provide some background in cell function and DNA properties, helping students to understand how genetic modification can make a difference. The developments in biotechnology are highlighted and students create a marketing campaign for GMO’s. This unit features 6 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

In vitro collecting (IVC) is the process of starting plant tissue cultures with minimal disturbance to the plants when viable seeds are not available. Become the field researcher and learn how to collect tissue samples in a non-sterile environment using aseptic techniques. Use standard laboratory operating procedures (SLOPs) to prepare media for the IVC process. This unit features 3 lessons and 7 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Create a cookbook to learn Standard Operating Procedures for food safety and environmental monitoring. Test for proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and compare plant and animal protein. This unit features 5 lessons and 16 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

What do you know about genetic modification? Is genetic modification helpful or harmful? This unit will help to develop student thinking about genetic modification and food security issues around the world by discussing CODEX, an international set of rules governing food safety and regulation, and how those rules work in various countries. The case for labeling genetically modified foods has raised controversy here and abroad. This set of lessons attempts to look at the differences between genetically modified and non-genetically modified foods, and the case for and against mandatory labeling of foods across the world. This unit features 5 lessons and 11 file.s. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

This unit leads students through the process of setting up gel electrophoresis chambers, understanding the mechanics, and experimenting with various aspects of running gels. This unit features 3 lessons and 13 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Grow soybeans using Round-Up Ready seeds to illustrate how biotechnology can be used as a tool to increase production. Introduce students to different options for growing soybeans, investigate no-till farming versus conventional cultivation and the effects of each on soil fertility, and analyze Round-up Ready soybean growth. Students share the results of their investigations in a technical paper. This unit features 3 lessons and 9 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

Using biotech skills, students will determine potential locations where pollen was collected and test the qualities and characteristics of a honey sample, including the sugar content and pH. This unit features 4 lessons and 12 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.

An introduction to genetic engineering through hands-on and modeling activities that illustrate concepts, which will scaffold student understanding for lab activities to follow, especially focused on the use of bacteria. This unit features 5 lessons and 14 files. Lessons are aligned to NGSS.