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? •…
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…
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…
HIV Life Cycle
This animation, from the Wellcome Trust, shows how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects white blood cells and uses its RNA to produce a strand of DNA which becomes integrated in the host cell's genome. HIV replicates inside white blood cells called CD4+ T cells. Here, viral DNA integrates with human DNA and acts…
DNA Sequencing
From the Wellcome Trust, these animations show three different methods for the sequencing of DNA. The Sanger method, developed in 1975, illustrates an early way of determining a DNA sequence. Fluorescent bases are incorporated into fragments of DNA that are made from the sample being sequenced. Analysis of the fragments enables…
Zoom in on Your Genome
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, this animation helps to illustrate where and how the human genome is stored within our cells and bodies. It takes a journey which starts with the whole human body before looking into a liver cell and then the cell's nucleus. The animation shows the arrangements of chromosomes within the nucleus…
5/5- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Interactive resource
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…
Dengue Virus Replication and Transmission
Produced by the Wellcome Trust, these animations take a detailed look at the molecular mechanisms that allow the dengue virus to subvert the cells of its mammalian host, allowing it to replicate and spread. Dengue is an example of an RNA virus. Being bitten by a mosquito carrying the dengue virus can lead to a broad range of symptoms…
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…
Attitudes of Children and Parents to Key Stage Two Science Testing and Assessment
Published in 2010 by the Wellcome Trust, this report considers students’ and parents’ views of testing and assessment in science at Key Stage Two in England and Wales. The research was carried out by the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast over a period in which the Key Stage Two science SAT was abolished.…
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…
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…
Leading Debate: 21 Years of the National Curriculum for Science
In July 2010, 21 years after the National Curriculum was first introduced, the Wellcome Trust convened a seminar to reflect on the impact of the National Curriculum for science. Presented in this report are views that emerged from the seminar where delegates considered the National Curriculum’s initial development and subsequent…
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…
Drug Development
Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine. While providing immense benefits, drugs are not the perfect solution. They only work on a proportion of patients, sometimes they harm us, and we're not very good at taking them as we should. For some diseases, particularly…
Evolution
Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine. Why does Darwinian evolution raise controversy when, say, quantum mechanics scarcely registers on the public consciousness? This issue of 'Big Picture' looks at the theory of evolution, the evidence that supports…
Sex and Gender
Published by the Wellcome Trust, this issue explores the biological basis of sex differences and the relationship between sex and gender. An activity encourages debate on the topic of sex selection. The development of new reproductive technologies makes it possible for the first time to choose the sex of children. But should parents…
Meet the Gene Machine
Supported by the Wellcome Trust and developed by the Science Communication Unit at the University of the West of England, Meet the Gene Machine is a fun, creative and comprehensive teaching package allowing teachers and young people to discuss the ethical and social issues inherent in the field of genetics. Each 'Meet the Gene…
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,…
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…
How We Look
Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine. This issue looks at the interplay between the biology that sculpts our form and the culture that interprets and adapts it. It asks what we mean by ‘normal’, what beauty is and how such concepts influence the way…
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…
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
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…
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 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…
Creative Encounters: Feasibility Study for a Touring Exhibition to Promote Creative Learning in Science
Published by the Wellcome Trust in 2007, this report is the product of a feasibility study for a touring exhibition to promote creative learning in science. The study involved: • Evaluating the Trust's objectives for such an exhibition and making recommendations on the feasibility of meeting these objectives (and advising…
Health and Climate Change
Published by the Wellcome Trust, the 'Big Picture' explores issues around biology and medicine. The Earth's climate is changing ever faster, and human activities play a role in speeding up this change. Find out how climate change affects our health. In a related activity, using an on-line simulation game, students…
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…
Nanoscience
From the Wellcome Trust, 'Big Picture' looks at contemporary issues in science. Dealing with things smaller than 100 nanometres (for comparison, a human hair is 80,000 nm wide). Nanotechnologies are fast becoming the 'next big thing'. Yet while nano-enthusiasts say they are the future, nano-sceptics are concerned…
- 4/5
- Publication year: 2000 - 2009
- Information sheet
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…
Obesity
From the Wellcome Trust, this issue of the 'Big Picture' series reviews the causes, health consequences, and personal and social impact of obesity, and how it might be tackled. How is body weight controlled? Why is the incidence of obesity increasing? What is the impact on people and society? What can be done about it?…