Genes and You
Published by the Wellcome Trust in 1997, this book provides challenging ways of incorporating scientific information into social situations. Teachers' notes complement the student activity sheets in a series of real-life scenarios. In addition to looking at the biology of genetic disorders, inheritance, genes, chromosomes…
Careers from Biology
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, this issue of the Big Picture explores some of the careers that are available to students who have studied biological science. It goes beyond the doctors, vets and other science-related careers typically described to include people working in a wide variety of sectors. Case studies include the work…
Wellcome Trust: Tree of Life
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, these resources include an interactive evolutionary tree and a video of the Tree of Life. These materials will help students to find out more about the work of Charles Darwin and evolution. The resources contain: Tree of life video The video is a short section of the 'Charles Darwin and the…
5/5- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
Gene Therapy: Personal Perspectives
Produced by Nowgen, and with support from the Wellcome Trust, the Changing Futures project explored the effects of cystic fibrosis (CF) and the prospects of treatment using gene therapy. These two videos give personal perspectives on gene therapy from two cystic fibrosis sufferers. Natasha is at college. She talks about how she…
Gene Therapy: the Facts
From Nowgen, and produced with support from the Wellcome Trust, this video interview sees Caitlin, a cystic fibrosis sufferer, quizzing Dr. Kevin Southern. He is a Paediatric Respiratory Consultant working at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. His answers shed light on gene therapy and also future treatments of cystic…
How Gene Therapy Works
Produced by Nowgen and with support from the Wellcome Trust, these two video animations were produced by young people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Both animations describe, in an engaging way, the processes of gene therapy. In its simplest form, gene therapy aims to replace a non-working copy of a gene with a working copy. How…
What Is Gene Therapy?
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, in these videos Dr. Mat Hickman and Dr. Simon Waddington describe gene therapy and some of the recent developments in the technique. What is gene therapy? In his first video, Dr Mat Hickman talks about the basics of gene therapy. This includes: • how some disorders…
Gene Therapy Timeline
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, this series of video clips describe some of the research milestones that have taken place in the development of gene therapy as a possible treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF). The short video clips cover: Introduction Introduces Dr Kevin Southern, who is a consultant…
Cystic Fibrosis: Physiotherapy to Music
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, this video is set to music and takes an engaging look at the types of physiotherapy exercises that cystic fibrosis (CF) sufferers must do. Physiotherapy is part of living with CF. The exercises help to clear thick and sticky mucus from the lungs. This is important in reducing…
Cystic Fibrosis: Personal Stories
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, this activity contains two video diaries from teenagers who have cystic fibrosis (CF). They help to shed light on the effects of CF and how it influences the lives of those with the condition. Hannah shows a video animation that she made during a period in hospital. She…
Make Your Own Mucus and Extracting DNA
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, these resources illustrate two practical activities. One explains how to make 'artificial mucus' and relates it to the mucus produced in the lungs by individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). The second is an activity sheet with instructions on how to extract DNA from…
Cystic Fibrosis: Meet the Health Professionals
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, these short video clips are interviews with two health professionals who work with patients who have cystic fibrosis (CF). Janice is a CF specialist practioner. She looks after children and young people up to the age of 18. Janice explains: • the types of patients…
How Cystic Fibrosis Affects the Body
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, this short video clip is an interview with Dr Ceri Harrop, the Public Programmes Manager at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research. Dr Harrop talks with Caitlin, a cystic fibrosis sufferer. In the video, Dr Harrop explains: • the causes of cystic fibrosis…
- 3/5
- Publication year: 2010 to date
- Video
How Can You Get Cystic Fibrosis?
Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, this short video clip is an animation written by a student who has cystic fibrosis (CF). The animation helps to explain the genetic basis of the disorder. The short animation covers: • How CF is caused by a faulty CFTR gene (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance…
Exercise, Energy and Movement
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, this issue of the Big Picture looks at the physiology and sociology of exercise and movement. For humans, movement is for more than just basic survival. They move for fun, to compete and to be healthy. This resource looks at the biological systems that keep humans moving and consider some of the…
Food and Diet
This issue of the Big Picture, from the Wellcome Trust, looks at the role that food plays not only in human physiology but also in the individual's lives. Food is about so much more than sustenance. Food choice touches on many aspects of human life: culture, identity, religion, relationships, mood, fashion and pleasure. This…
Secrets of Cells
This issue of the Big Picture, from the Wellcome Trust, looks inside the cells that make up every part of the human body. Focussing on animal cells, the articles are suitable for post-16 students or as an extension for 14-16 students. The topics covered include: • What are cells for? • What are the structures of cells? •…
Nano Pairs
Produced by Citizen Science, this resource contains a set of cards that can be printed and used in a 'matching pairs' game. When completed, the pairs pose questions which students consider, around the use of nanotechnology. Suitable for students aged 11-14 the activity introduces students to some of the potential effects…
Genome Games
Produced as part of the Citizen Science project, these materials allow students to explore issues around human genetics using familiar game contexts. Suitable for students aged 11-16, the materials utilise activites similar to Pictionary, Taboo and Consequences to introduce a variety of issues. The materials encourage students…
Genetic Testing
Produced for the Citizen Science project, this resource enagages students in the debate around genetic testing and screening. It is suitable for students aged 14-16 and post-16. The activity provides an opportunity to investigate genetic disorders before considering a number of statements and situations concerning the social and…
Exploring Issues: a Teachers' Guide
Produced by the Citizen Science project, this teacher guidance summarises ideas on how to run successful discussions and debates within the secondary classroom. Examples illustrate how a range of techniques, such as TV chat show formats, can be used successfully. These materials will help teachers to: • run a variety of…
Drugs on the Brain
Produced by the Citizen Science project, this resource engages students in debating the social, political and health issues surrounding the use of drugs. In this activity, debate commences by introducing characters, scenarios and issues connected with drugs. Students are given opportunities to hot seat as experts or characters…
In Vitro Fertilisation
Produced by the Citizen Science project, this pack of resources allows students to learn about and debate the issues around in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Containing teacher notes and student activity sheets, the materials will engage students to think about, express and critically evaluate IVF. Suitable for students aged 14-16,…
Aftershot Total
This resource from the Citizen Science project is designed to support Key Stage Three students in debating the social, political and health issues surrounding alcohol consumption.The social and biological effects of alcohol form an important topic for young people to discuss. The marketing of alcohol, underage drinking, health implications…
Reports on Science Education Issues
A selection of downloadable reports, commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, on issues in science education including science and society, continuing professional development, national curriculum primary science and Key Stage Two assessment. The five reports featured are: • National Primary Science Survey (England) In-service…
Intestinal Worms
From the Wellcome Trust, this animation shows how environment and living conditions can lead to infection by a range of energy sapping intestinal worms. The three main worms infecting humans are hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. The animation shows how these parasites can be transmitted in areas where soil is contaminated with…
Leishmaniasis Life Cycle
Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasite transmitted by the sand fly. Two animations, from the Wellcome Trust, show the life cycle of the parasite. They illustrate how the leishmania parasites enter the sand fly and matures in preparation for human infection. The bite from an infected sand fly can lead to disfiguring…
Lymphatic Filariasis
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, this animation shows the complete life cycle of tiny parasitic worms as they move between human and mosquito hosts. Lymphatic filariasis is a disabling disease found in low-income areas of many tropical and subtropical countries. Parasitic worms multiply in the lymphatic system and release larvae…
Malaria Life Cycle
From the Wellcome Trust, these animations show the life cycle of the malaria parasite. They illustrate how the parasite develops in the mosquito before being transmitted to a human host following a blood meal. The protozoan then develops inside the host's liver and red blood cells, causing the symptoms of malaria and releasing…
Schistosomiasis Life Cycle
This animation, from the Wellcome Trust, illustrates how several species of the Schistosoma parasitic worms exploit humans and fresh water snails. The parasites use rivers and streams to transfer between the two animals, using each for a specific phase of its life cycle. The parasitic worms are able to penetrate skin and infect…
Syphilis
From the Wellcome Trust, this animation shows how syphilis, a sexually transmitted bacterial disease (STD), can infect a person's lymph nodes. If this initial infection is not treated, the bacteria can spread to cause damage to the heart, aorta, brain, eyes and bones. In some cases, untreated syphilis can result in blindness,…
Trypanosomiasis Life Cycle
Two animations, from the Wellcome Trust, illustrate the life cycle of the trypanosomiasis protozoan parasite. They illustrate the journey of these single celled parasites, which cause human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, from the gut of the tsetse fly into the human bloodstream. If left untreated, the disease can be…