A year in genetics, as told by tomorrow’s textbooks

This week we’ve got an incredible set of stories to share with you. Every year, the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology’s Educational Outreach team puts together a guidebook. It contains all the developments of the last year that should be in a student’s textbook but likely won’t make it there because of the speed with which the field of genetics moves and the slow process of textbook creation and adoption. The guidebook is HudsonAlpha’s way to keep educators and their students current.

The annual guidebook tells short, compelling narratives about what I consider to be the most fascinating field of research. Every year, geneticists make discoveries that change the way we understand the world around us, and sometimes they even change the world itself.

Without further ado, please enjoy this year’s Guidebook. 

(OK, just one last note—beneath the guidebook, you’ll find an index of all the guidebook stories that we expanded on here at Shareable Science, in case a story sounds familiar or you’d like to learn more. We’ve also linked the digital resources that the guidebook showcases)

Shareable Science Topics in the Guidebook:

Scientists showcase hachimoji, an expanded genetic language

Sharing research profits with customers

Study finds fecal transplants cut autism symptoms nearly in half

Chinese scientist makes first claim of gene-edited babies

Polygenic risk scores reveal disease risk, pose risks of their own

Bioengineered food labels

The Guidebook also highlights a number of digital resources for learning more about genetics, including:

Biotech Basics 

Twenty-four key technologies or concepts are described in detail. Language and concepts are intentionally geared to a high school or public audience.

iCell 

Explore representative plant, animal and bacteria cells with vivid 3D models using HudsonAlpha iCell

The Progress of Science

This timeline details over 200 major accomplishments and milestones in genetics and biotechnology during the past 10,000 years.

Touching Triton

Work together on this interactive game to ensure the health and safety of a deep space crew while learning the genomics of common disease.

To schedule a media interview with Dr. Neil Lamb or to invite him to speak at an event or conference, please contact Margetta Thomas by email at mthomas@hudsonalpha.org or by phone: Office (256) 327-0425 | Cell (256) 937-8210