Explore careers in biological science. This site is run by Howard Hughes Medical Institute and includes many types of virtual laboratories, animations, virtual exhibits, and interactive activities.
See this close-up animation showing how ribosomes carry out translation to make a particular proteins. [3:04]
Once the structure of DNA was discovered, the next challenge was determining how the sequence of letters coded for the 20 amino acids could make protein. In theory, one or two letters can only code for 4 or 16 amino acids, respectively. A scheme using three letters, a triplet code, is the minimum necessary to encode for all the amino acids. [1:08]
An exploration of the bee colony collapse disorder. [7:45]
Ever wonder what lurks inside your mouth? A sneak peek here. [1:27]
View this video/animation to see how one type of immune cell-the helper T cell-interprets a message presented at the surface of the cell membrane. The message is an antigen, a protein fragment taken from an invading microbe. A series of events unfolds that results in the production of many clones of the helper T cell. These identical T cells can serve as a brigade forming an essential communication network to activate B cells, which make antibodies that will specifically attack the activating antigen. [4.21]
Video on cell cultures derived from human embryonic stem cells that can reproduce indefinitely and can differentiate into specialized cell types. [1:17]
Observe a scientist describe the process used to extract DNA from a cell and to analyze it on a gene chip. [1:41]
See how a knee-jerk reflex depends on a simple circuit of proprioceptive sensory neurons and spinal motor neurons. [1:21]
An up-close look at bacteria. [0:52]
In this narrated animation, watch the dengue virus undergo RNA replication and protein transcription as it matures inside a human cell ultimately causing the infectious disease. [4:12]
Resource offers a great explanation and animation of the processes of active and passive transport across cell membranes. Requires Adobe Flash.
In this animation, a molecular menagerie of small molecules is displayed, with two particular molecules singled out for attention: rapamycin and furrowstatin. [1:57]
A close-up look at the fossil records of the stickleback fish. [1:26]
A close-up look of the fertilization of the C. elegans oocyte. [1:12]
Discover how wing spots are involved in fruit fly courtship. [0:55]
Creatures seen by Charles Darwin. [0:24]
The Double Helix is the story of the scientists and evidence involved in one of the most important scientific quests of the 20th century: the discovery of the structure of DNA. [16:53]
Discover how birds descended from dinosaurs. Learn about the evidence scientist are uncovering to find out about the origin of birds. Throughout the video, there are embedded quiz modules that test students' understanding. [18:59]
This video/slideshow provides an explanation that explains how greenhouse gases that cause further warming. [2:14]