Organ and Tissue Donation
Produced for the Debating Matters competition, this topic guide looks at the use of financial incentives to encourage greater tissue and organ donations. It contains information, further reading and web links that help students to understand and debate the issues. In the UK, there is a shortage of organ donors and demands for…
The Brain
This Medical Research Council (MRC) resource discusses the brain - the most complex and least understood organ in the human body. It controls all of its activities, from breathing and listening to thinking and moving. MRC researchers are working to understand more about how the normal brain and the senses work, as well as what goes…
Stem Cells
This booklet focuses on research funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), part of Research Councils UK (RCUK), into stem cells, including the exciting potential these have for repairing damaged body tissues and replacing them with healthy new cells. It also discusses challenges surrounding stem cell research and what the MRC…
Discovering DNA - the Recipe of Life
Through this Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) resource, students gain an understanding of the role of DNA within cells of the human body, and an appreciation that it is the uniqueness of their own DNA ‘recipe' which makes them individuals. The activities were first run as workshops designed…
Stem Cells - Science and Ethics
From the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), this booklet looks at stem cell science and the legal and ethical issues of research using stem cells. Designed primarily for post-16 students to use themselves, the resource also contains classroom activities. Teachers notes support the student booklet,…
How the Mushroom Got its Spots
This booklet has been produced by the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC) and the British Mycological Society. It is a guide to fungi and includes information on mushrooms, toadstools, moulds and other fungi.There are guidance notes as well as worksheets suitable for use when looking at living things in…
Quick Guide: Micro-organisms in Industry
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide discusses how Microbes are increasingly important to industry, where they are used in a huge variety of processes ranging from food production to water treatment. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of biotechnology to provide teachers with…
Quick Guide: Medicinal Chemistry
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide looks at how medicinal chemists use their technical skills and their knowledge of different organic chemical reactions to develop new small-molecule drugs to treat diseases. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of medicinal chemistry to provide…
Quick Guide: The Evolution of Human Behaviour
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide looks at what makes humans special. There is a lot of debate among researchers about which mental (or cognitive) abilities separate humans from chimpanzees. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of behaviour to provide teachers with an understanding…
Quick Guide: Disasters and Diseases
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide looks at the microbial species that are a special danger to human communities when arrangements for water supply and sewage disposal fail. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of health and diseases to provide teachers with an understanding…
Quick Guide: Carbon Capture and Storage
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide looks at how carbon capture may be used to tackle carbon dioxide emissions and is a simplified summary of complex ideas for the busy practitioner teaching out of subject or needing a refresher. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of carbon…
Quick Guide: Organ Transplantation
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide looks at the development of transplants, immunosuppressive drugs and the ethics involved in the field. It is a simplified summary of complex ideas for the busy practitioner. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of organ transplantation to…
Quick Guide: Biofuels
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide is a simplified summary of complex ideas for the busy practitioner teaching out of subject or needing a refresher.The resource describes why we need biofuels, types of biofuels and current research. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of…
Quick Guide: Water Quality and Climate Change
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide looks at how the quality of our freshwater lakes, streams and rivers has deteriorated as a result of eutrophication. The quick guide is a simplified summary of complex ideas for the busy practitioner. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field…
Quick Guide: Genetic Modification
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide discusses how genetic modification is the alteration of an organism’s genes using methods other than traditional breeding. The quick guide is a simplified summary of complex ideas for the busy practitioner. This is a resource produced by current experts in…
Quick Guide: Stem Cells
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide describes what stem cells are and the importance of stem cell research. It is a simplified summary of complex ideas for the busy practitioner teaching out of subject or needing a refresher. This is a resource produced by current experts in the field of stem cells…
Quick Guide: IVF
Produced by the Triple Science Support Programme, this quick guide describes In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), how it is performed and the ethical issues around such procedures. It is a simplified summary of complex ideas for the busy practitioner teaching out of subject or needing a refresher. This is a resource produced by current…