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Resources for educators

Explore DNA resources and activities designed for educators.

Hand writing sequence on paper

Code Crackers

In this activity, learners discover how genes encode proteins, using a codon wheel and protein profiles.

Methods and Technology
Image of someone holding a micro:bit.

Tech in the Lab

Use a micro:bit to explore how creative coding and sensors can help scientists solve tricky problems in the lab!

Methods and Technology
Picture of 3 skulls

Recreate a Face

Discover how DNA can provide clues to recreate the faces of people from the past.

Science in Society
Graphic of 5 people composed of two circles each, in multiple colours.

Science For Everyone Primary Resources

Discover primary science activities to help students explore everyday science and highlight a diverse range of scientists.

Careers
4 students wearing labcoats looking excited during science experiment.

Barcoding for beginners

Information and resources for educators and students participating in the Barcoding for beginners project

Living Things
Picture of a diverse group of people from all different backgrounds and walks of life.

Genome Generation Express

Explore, discuss and reflect on the social and ethical issues associated with genetic and genomic science.

Science in Society
picture of lots of bright red shiny strawberries

Extracting DNA from fruit

This hands-on activity allows you to extract the DNA from fruit using household items.

In the Cell
3D illustration of a protein or enzyme.

Function Finders

Discover how DNA sequences code for proteins with different roles and functions.

Methods and Technology
Picture of a male using a computer

Function Finders: BLAST!

Decode DNA sequences and discover the proteins they code for using online scientific databases.

Methods and Technology

Career profile: training coordinator

In this career profile, Paballo describes his role as a training coordinator. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: quality officer

In this career profile, Ellie describes her role as a Quality Officer. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: postdoctoral scientist (malaria)

In this career profile, Sunil describes his role as a Postdoctoral Scientist. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: postdoctoral research fellow (cancer)

In this career profile, Giulia describes her role as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: in-country training assistant

In this career profile, Tom describes his role as an In-Country Training Assistant. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: research assistant (cystic fibrosis)

In this career profile, Shevaniee describes her role as a Research Assistant. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: advanced research assistant (pathogens)

In this career profile, Ben describes his role as an Advanced Research Assistant. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: recruitment and immigration adviser

In this career profile, Ben describes his role as a Recruitment and Immigration Adviser. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: senior media officer and social media lead

In this career profile, Rachael describes her role as a Senior Media Officer and Social Media Lead. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers

Career profile: schools engagement officer

In this career profile, Cindy describes her role as a Science Engagement Officer for schools. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Petra is standing in a lab proudly showing one of her science samples from a project she is working on.

Career profile: staff scientist

In this career profile, Petra describes her role as a Staff Scientist, who focuses on a specific science project. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
A picture of Katie smiling in front of a lot of trees that are blurred in the background. Katie is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist (Ecology) at Wellcome Sanger Institute

Career profile: postdoctoral research scientist (ecology)

In this career profile, Katie describes her role as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist working in ecology. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Picture of Anne standing in front of the gardens of HInxton Hall.

Career profile: postdoctoral research fellow (diseases)

In this career profile, Anne describes her role as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Picture of Abey smiling brightly in his lab coat. Abey is standing in a lab office space.

Career profile: advanced research assistant (malaria)

In this career profile, Abey describes his role as an advanced research assistant working on malaria. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Picture of Sam smiling on the grounds of Wellcome Genome Campus.

Career profile: engagement officer

In this career profile, Sam describes his role as a Community Engagement Officer. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Picture of Jess smiling, holding her laptop on the Wellcome Genome Campus.

My career in genomics: management trainee

In this film, Jessica talks about her diverse and varied role as a management trainee. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Joshua smiling, standing in front of a large theatre with multiple red empty chairs behind him. Joshua is a Product Manager for Wellcome Sanger Institute.

My career in genomics: product manager

In this film, Joshua describes his role as a product manager. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Laura smiling inside the Sulston building on the Wellcome Genome Campus

My career in genomics: illustrator and graphic designer

In this film, Laura introduces her creative and varied role creating scientific illustrations, designs and data visualisations. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Leonie holding her laptop in a darkened empty theatre.

My career in genomics: scientific communications  

In this film, Leonie talks about her career in scientific communications as part of the COSMIC team. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Rachel smiling at the camera, standing in the corridor.

My career in genomics: compliance manager

In this film, Rachel introduces her role in compliance and her background in law and science. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Sarah smiling on the Wellcome Genome Campus

My career in genomics: learning and development lead  

In this film, Sarah discusses her role as a learning and development professional in HR. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics. 

Careers
Edel smiling in her lab coat, whilst standing in a lab.

My career in genomics: conservation genetics

In this film Edel Sheerin describes her role as an advanced research assistant working in the field of conservation genetics. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Tobi smiling, he is in a server room.

My career in genomics: bioinformatics

In this film Tobi Alegbe discusses his PhD in bioinformatics, studying Crohn’s disease. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Georgia smiling, standing in a corridor.

My career in genomics: data science

In this film Georgia Whitton talks about her job as a senior data scientist working in the genomic surveillance unit. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Jade smiling in one of the corridors in the Wellcome Sanger Institute.

My career in genomics: cellular operations

In this film Jade Smith talks about her role as an advanced research assistant working in cellular operations. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Lucy smiling, she is in a lab coat and protective glasses in the lab.

My career in genomics: cell biology

In this film Lucy Holland describes her role as a higher laboratory scientist apprentice working in a cell biology laboratory. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Sasha smiling happily. Sasha is outside in a built up city standing beside a road.

My career in genomics: genetic counselling

In this film, Sasha Henriques talks about her career as a genetic counsellor. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Doctors and other health care professionals will explain what genetic test results mean for a patient or their baby, even before that baby is born. Picture is oof a male doctor showing a baby scan image, pointing at it with a pen.

What is genetic counselling?

Genetic counsellors are health professionals who help people faced with the possibility of a genetic disease to make informed decisions about their futures.

Careers
Picture of multiple colleagues at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, all smiling at the camera.

My career in genomics: career profiles

Explore the diversity of career pathways into genomics through this collection of career profiles

Careers
Picture of Niki smiling surrounded by a lab with scientists working behind her.

My career in genomics: cancer biology

In this film Niki Patel talks about her research looking at the genetics of cancer. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Gosia smiling in her lab coat, with scientists working behind her in the lab.

My career in genomics: immune diseases

In this film Gosia Trynka talks about her research looking at the effect of genetic changes on the immune system. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Roland, he is sitting in the cafeteria with multiple people in the background.

My career in genomics: evolution

In this film Roland Schwarz talks about his research using computers to model and understand evolution. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
Picture of Christine standing within a lab.

My career in genomics: antibiotic resistance

In this film Christine Boinett talks about her research looking at antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This is one of a series of films providing a unique insight into different careers in the field of genomics.

Careers
A picture of Louise Aigrain, a senior staff scientist. Louise is wearing a lab coat with gloves on, she is conducting a science experiment.

Life in the Lab: working in DNA sequencing pipeline

This film follows Louise Aigrain, a senior staff scientist, in her life in a DNA sequencing pipeline lab. This is one of a series of films exploring Life in the Lab.

Careers
Picture of Hilary in the lab

Life in the Lab: working with human gut microbiota

This film follows PhD Student Hilary Browne in his life in a microbiology lab. This is one of a series of films exploring Life in the Lab.

Careers
Picture of two scientists in the lab looking at parasites on a screen.

Life in the Lab: working in a malaria lab

This film follows Alena Pance, a senior staff scientist, in her life in a malaria lab. This is one of a series of films exploring Life in the Lab.

Careers
Picture of Frank looking at a computer screen.

Life in the Lab: working in a malaria genome modification pipeline

This film follows senior computational biologist Frank Schwach in his life in a malaria lab. This is one of a series of films exploring Life in the Lab.

Careers
child taking part in the activity guide

Build a Bacteria!

Discover the diversity of bacteria and get creative making your own model bacteria!

Health and Disease
A picture of Jess smiling, standing in front of a large tree, Hinxton Hall is in the far background. Jess is a Research Governance Assistant at Wellcome Sanger Institute.

Career profile: research governance assistant

In this career profile, Jess describes her role as a research governance assistant, understanding the ethics behind science research. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
A picture of George smiling, he is standing in the grounds of the Wellcome Genome Campus.

Career profile: research governance manager

In this career profile, George describes his role as a Research Governance Manager, understanding the ethics behind science research. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Picture of Yvette smiling. Yvette is in her lilac lab coat standing in the corner of a busy office/lab space.

Career profile: senior technical specialist (histology)

In this career profile, Yvette describes her role as a Senior Technical Specialist working with a variety of tissue samples. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Picture of Tamara grinning, standing in front of a screen showing some coding. Tamara is a Software Developer for EMBL-EBI

Career profile: software developer

In this career profile, Tamara describes her role as a Software Developer. This is one of a series of career profiles exploring lots of different jobs in genomics.

Careers
Image of a Robin sat in the sun, on a tree branch.

Classify!

What makes a bird a bird or a mammal a mammal? Grouping creatures together can show what links different creatures together.

Living Things
Picture of Data servers, they are lit up green and there is 6 large servers in the image.

DNA to Data

Explore how scientists get sequence data from DNA samples.

Methods and Technology

Genomics Lite: Ancient DNA - Excavating fact from fiction!

Genomics Lite is a series of public webinars, in this session we explored what we mean when we say ancient DNA and what can we actually learn from it.

Living Things
promotional graphic displaying genomics lite information

Genomics Lite: Drug targets to validation

Our guest speakers for this session were Salman Tamaddon-Jahromi and Xiangyu (Jack) Ge, an Advanced Research Assistant and a Statistical Geneticist respectively at Open Targets, exploring the drug development process.

Health and Disease
promotional graphic displaying genomics lite information

Genomics Lite: Exploring genome function

Our guest speaker for this session was Gareth Girling, a technical specialist at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, exploring what we know so far about the human genome.

In the Cell
poster of genetics lite and displaying the details

Genomics Lite: Genetic alchemy

Our guest speaker for this session was Dr. Nneka Anyanwu, Head of Gene Editing at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, exploring how gene editing is transforming the genome.

Methods and Technology
Graphic image of Genomics Lite and the speakers.

Genomics Lite: Genomic cartography - Generating a human cell atlas

Our guest speakers for our March Genomics Lite were Dr. Elena Winheim and Feri Torabi, Postdoctoral Researcher and a Advanced Research Assistant respectively, at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, exploring how they are working towards generating a map of all the cells in the human body.

In the Cell
Poster displaying Genomics Lite and the guest speakers.

Genomics Lite: Genomic cartography - Navigating with a human cell atlas

Our guest speakers for our April Genomics Lite were Dr. Laure Gambardella and Dr. Chloe Admane, Senior Staff Scientist and Visiting Scientist respectively, at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, exploring the world of stem cells.

In the Cell

Genomics Lite: How does DNA mutate?

Genomics Lite is a series of public webinars, in this session we explored how DNA mutates.

In the Cell

Genomics Lite: How is AI used in bioscience?

Genomics Lite is a series of public webinars, in this session we explored what AI is and how it is being used on the Wellcome Genome Campus, a large bioscience research organisation.

Methods and Technology
promotional graphic displaying genomics lite information

Genomics Lite: What is a gene?

Our guest speaker for this Genomics Lite is Zachary Ardern a Research Fellow at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, exploring what we still don't know about genes.

In the Cell

Genomics Lite: What's the biggest genome?

Genomics Lite is a series of public webinars, in this session we explored genome size, what organism has the largest genome and how do we go about sequencing these large genomes.

Living Things

Genomics Lite: Whose genome was sequenced first?

Genomics Lite is a series of public webinars, in this session we unpicked the Human Genome Project with two guests who worked on this landmark initiative and find out whose DNA was sequenced first.

Science in Society

Genomics Lite: Why are some genes dominant?

Genomics Lite is a series of public webinars, in this session we explored why some genes are dominant and why others are recessive.

In the Cell
Image of the herb coriander

Investigate!

What makes us similar and what makes us different? Carry out your own genetic variation investigation using a selection of household items.

In the Cell
Picture of an origami DNA somebody has created.

Origami DNA

This hands-on activity allows you to create your own paper model of a DNA double helix.

In the Cell
Bioinformatician typing on laptop

Our Animal DNA

Use bioinformatic tools to compare different genes across the tree of life.

Living Things
picture of beads for a bracelet

Sequencing Bracelets

In this activity, learners make a bracelet of DNA sequence from organisms including a human, chimpanzee, butterfly, carnivorous plant or flesh-eating bacteria.

In the Cell
Image of someone placing jelly babies onto cocktail sticks.

Yummy Gummy DNA

Make your own edible DNA double helix out of sweets!

In the Cell