![Kara Layton sous l'eau en habit de plongée sous-marine](/sites/default/files/styles/career_image/public/2020-01/Kara%20Layton.jpg?itok=CQIT6mnu)
Kara Layton
Postdoctoral Fellow
![Measuring radiation in Chernobyl](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-11/measuring_radiation_in_Chernobyl.jpg?itok=wrUYuc2O)
Radiation Effects on the Body
Backgrounders
This backgrounder explains the potential effects of radiation on the human body.
![Photo de Paul Gordon au travail](/sites/default/files/styles/career_image/public/2019-09/2841.jpg?itok=T9WFb7cv)
Paul Gordon
Bioinformatics Manager
![Red-haired woman](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/red-haired_woman.jpg?itok=E7j3ahqo)
The Chemistry of Redheads
STEM Explained
Learn how chemistry and genetics makes redheads stand out from the crowd.
![Mitosis of kidney cells © Ian P Newton & Paul L Appleton [CC BY-SA 4.0], Wikimedia Commons](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-08/600px-Mitotic_MDCKs.jpg?itok=VLMyMgJd)
What is Mitosis?
Backgrounders
Mitosis is an important part of cell division that helps organisms grow and repair themselves.
![DNA barcoding used to test food](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2020-02/DNA_barcoding_food_testing.jpg?itok=Hidu7x3v)
The Classification of Life: From Linnaeus to DNA Barcoding
Backgrounders
Learn about two taxonomy systems that scientists use to classify the life around us.
![Cartoon mammoth](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/Cartoon_mammoth.jpg?itok=yPc7tmR_)
Should Scientists Clone Extinct Species?
STEM Explained
Cloning makes it possible to bring extinct species back to life. But is that a good idea?
![Down Syndrome karyotype](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/downsyndrome-karyotype.jpg?itok=c1Yti3xE)
Meiosis Mistakes
STEM Explained
Errors during meiosis can alter the number of chromosomes in cells and lead to genetic disorders.
![A 3D-rendered illustration of stem cells](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/3D_rendering_stem_cells.jpg?itok=FILo3TBN)
My Stem Cell Donation Story
STEM Explained
In April 2016, Let’s Talk Science volunteer Daniel Tarade donated stem cells to help a person who needed a stem cell transplant to survive. Learn what stem cells are, how and why people donate, and what Daniel’s experience was like.
![DNA "unzipping"](/sites/default/files/2019-10/DNA_unzipping.png)
How can I obtain a sample of DNA?
Hands-on Activities
Be a biochemist! Learn how to extract DNA from an onion and find out what DNA looks like.
![An artist’s interpretation of gene editing technology](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/gene-editing-technology.jpg?itok=v9CJqTwX)
Genome Editing
STEM Explained
Medical biotechnology allows scientists to make changes to the genomes of living things. What are the pros and cons of having access to techniques like these?
![Hand with screwdriver “repairing” DNA](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-09/DNA_repair.png?itok=jwH_hm9z)
DNA Damage and Repair
Backgrounders
This backgrounder explains the different ways that cells repair damage to DNA.
![a boy looks at a hamburger](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/boy_looking_at_hamburger.png?itok=Lc9CtrR6)
Do You Know What's On Your Plate?
STEM Explained
In 2013, many Europeans learned their beef lasagnas were actually made of horse meat. Learn about food fraud, and how a Canadian invention can help detect it.
![Test tubes in a laboratory](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/Test_tubes_in_a_lab.jpg?itok=Fyj1TcIR)
DNA Extraction
Backgrounders
Learn the basics of how DNA can be extracted from cells.
![Damage to DNA](/sites/default/files/styles/resource_card_image_360x300_/public/2019-10/Damage_to_DNA.jpg?itok=qSvdjV4V)
Radiation Effects on Cells & DNA
Backgrounders
This backgrounder explains the effects of radiation on cells and DNA.