The 2007-2008 Whitehead Seminar Series for High School
Teachers: Controlling Genes
Your body comprises trillions of cells, and each one contains the same
DNA, encoding identical genes. But just a fraction of those genes are
active in any given cell. Thus a brain cell produces dopamine, serotonin
and other “brain” chemicals rather than keratin, fats and
oils, which are characteristic of a skin cell. Scientists are working
to understand the switches and control mechanisms that regulate gene
expression and thus determine a cell’s identity.
The 2008 Whitehead Institute’s Lecture Series for High
School Teachers, “Controlling Genes,” featured
talks by world-class researchers who are exploring DNA packaging, transcription
factors, microRNAs and other regulatory mechanisms. Their work could provide
a boost to regenerative medicine and lead to new therapies for cancer and
other diseases.
The first seminar of the 2007-2008 program was held on Monday,
October 15, at Whitehead’s McGovern Auditorium (after October,
lectures were held the first Monday of every month
through June). Each session began at 4 p.m. and
included a lecture and a working dinner, ending approximately
at 7:00 pm.
As in previous years, we matched teachers with
Whitehead partners—Whitehead scientists
who served as a resource during the school
year. The partners are eager to answer questions,
discuss their fields of expertise, and even visit
schools to meet your students. Teachers who have taken
advantage of their partnership in past years have found
it to be an invaluable relationship.
For more
information on the teacher program, please contact
Amy Tremblay at tremblay@wi.mit.edu or
617-258-7270.
Participating teachers may have been eligible to earn up to
27 Professional Development Points toward recertification.
[program
FAQ]
Past Programs
2008-2009: Pursuing the Promise: Advances in Stem Cell Science
2007-2008: Controlling Genes
2006-2007: The Awesome Power of
Genetics
2005-2006: New Drugs for Old Diseases
2003-2004:
Life in Process: Evolution, Diversity and Change
2002-2003: Biological Challenges
to Humanity: Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases
2001-2002: Neuroscience Today: Getting Behind the Mind’s
Eye
2000-2001: Beyond the Scientific Frontier
1999-2000: Genomics, Genetics, and Evolution
1998-1999: Bioengineering
1997-1998: Molecular Medicine
1996-1997: Biotechnology
1995-1996: Evolution
1994-1995: Genetic Models for the High School Classroom
1992-1993: Molecular Approaches to Human Disease
1991-1992: Molecules of Life: Exploring Science at the
Whitehead Institute
Funded by Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Biogen Idec Foundation.
Last updated September 8, 2008. |
