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Strand D: Molecular Genetics

Measuring radiation in Chernobyl

Radiation Effects on the Body

Backgrounders

This backgrounder explains the potential effects of radiation on the human body.

Monica Seger | Directrice des affaires médicales, oncologie

Monica Seger

Medical Affairs Director, Oncology (Retired)

Monica Seger was a Medical Affairs Director, Oncology (Retired) at Bayer healthcare.
Photo de Paul Gordon au travail

Paul Gordon

Bioinformatics Manager

Paul Gordon is a Bioinformatics Manager at the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute.
Leann Sweeney | directrice de la performance des ventes et du marketing

Leann Sweeney

Director, Sales & Marketing Effectiveness

Leann Sweeney is the Director of Sales & Marketing Effectiveness for Amgen Canada.
Red-haired woman

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

What is Mitosis?

Backgrounders

Mitosis is an important part of cell division that helps organisms grow and repair themselves.

icon of embryo in hands

What if You Could Choose Your Baby?

STEM Explained

Many people have had children using assisted reproductive technologies. But some of these medical biotech techniques can raise some ethical issues.

DNA barcoding used to test food

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

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

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

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.

orn ethanol plant next to corn field

How is Ethanol Made?

Backgrounders

Ethanol is a biofuel that can power a car. Learn about the enzymes, catalysts and processes like fermentation involved in ethanol production.

DNA "unzipping"

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

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?

Lacks historical marker in Clover, Virginia

Why is Henrietta Lacks Important?

STEM Explained

When the cells of Henrietta Lacks were collected by medical researchers after her death in 1951, it changed the future of medicine.