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.
Programs
Teaching the Genome Generation Program
The TtGG program offers teacher PD in genetics with NGSS-aligned molecular biology lab protocols, bioinformatics, and bioethics lessons.
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ACE
This gene sheet provides details about the ACE gene and the variants examined in the TtGG laboratory protocols.
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ACTN3
This gene sheet provides details about the ACTN gene and the variants examined in the TtGG laboratory protocols.
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Bioinformatics Overview
Our Bioinformatics lessons illustrate how computational analyses and big data sets drive important discoveries in genetics and genomics.
Workshop
Cancer Genetics Workshop
Students join three different research teams to learn about cancer genetics and identify treatments for melanoma.
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COVID-19 Case Study
Students learn about COVID-19 diagnostic testing and research career possibilities in a clinical lab.
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CYP
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
This laboratory protocol instructs students in DNA Extraction and begins the TtGG the genotyping experiment.
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DNA Extraction - Teacher Protocol
This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in DNA Extraction and begins the TtGG the genotyping experiment.
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Gel Electrophoresis - Student Protocol
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
This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in Gel Electrophoresis and variant detection in the TtGG the genotyping experiment.
Interactive
Gel Electrophoresis Simulation
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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Identify a Variant using BLAST
Identify variants associated with a rare disorder using BLAST, and assess variant impact on mRNA and protein sequences using percent identity calculations.
Guidelines & Tools
JAX on LabXchange
Find our digital resources on LabXchange, a global science classroom open to every curious mind.
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Mice in Space Lesson 1: Making Predictions
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 2: Analyzing Data
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
A research poster template that serves as an accompaniment to Mice in Space Lesson 3.
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Mice in Space Lesson 3: Research Project
Students embark on their own research project to investigate a human bone or muscle disorder.
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Mice in Space Research Publication
Mighty Mice researchers published the first results from their experiments in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.
Lesson Plan
Mice in Space Teacher Guide
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
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
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
In this lesson, students assess the validity of a new Alzheimer's Disease therapeutic based on a mouse model.
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OXTR
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
This laboratory protocol instructs students in the PCR step of the TtGG the genotyping experiment.
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PCR - Teacher Protocol
This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in the PCR step of the TtGG the genotyping experiment.
Guidelines & Tools
Personal Genetics Education Project
Bioethics resources are available through our educational partner, the Personal Genetics Education Project (pgEd).
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Prep for Sequence Analysis - Student Protocol
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
This laboratory protocol instructs teachers in the step to prepare a sample for sequencing in the TtGG the genotyping experiment.
On Demand Video
TtGG Protocol Video Demos
Check out our YouTube playlist for video demonstrations of the Teaching the Genome Generation laboratory protocols.
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Restriction Digest - Student Protocol
Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences, which can aid in genotyping samples.
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Restriction Digest - Teacher Protocol
Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences, which can aid in genotyping samples.
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TtGG Sequence Analysis - Student Protocol
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
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
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
This case study guides students through publicly available bioinformatics databases to solve a medical mystery.
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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Bioethics
Discussion prompts focused on the ethics of genetic testing in cancer and consent.
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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Exploring Hereditary Cancer
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
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
Student activity to uncover hereditary cancer using BLAST to perform DNA sequence comparisons.
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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Introduction
Introduction to the module theme of newborn sequencing and cancer genetics.
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TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Project
Student inquiry project using cBioPortal to find and analyze data and determine if specific gene variants are associated with hereditary cancer.
Lesson Plan
TtGG Cancer Genetics Module: Teacher Guide
Full teacher guide with lesson descriptions, implementation strategies, NGSS alignments, and supporting materials.
Lesson Plan
Teaching the Genome Generation Curriculum Overview
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Reading and knowledge check that introduce sequence comparison and percent identity calculations.
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TtGG Sequence Comparison with OXTR
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
Student activity using TAS2R38 to practice applying sequence comparison and percent identity calculations between individuals and across species.
Lesson Plan
TtGG Sequence Comparison & Identity Module: Teacher Guide
Full teacher guide with lesson descriptions, implementation strategies, NGSS alignments, and supporting materials.
Programs
Virtual Open House
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
Students will "jump into bioinformatics" by exploring two databases in search of specific genetic information.