CSHL hosts many events all year long for science enthusiasts of all ages to attend . . . no Ph.D. required! We invite the general public to experience knowledge and nature at CSHL by taking a tour or participating in our concert & lecture programs.
All living things are made of cells, and the human body is composed of trillions of cells. Join DNALC instructor Brittany for this DNALC Short as she explores why cells have different structures and the relationship between structure and function.
You are the product of billions of years of evolutionary change! Join anthropologist Lindsay Barone to explore the hominins one-by-one in the DNALC Live series Species Shorts.
You are an animal. That wasn't an insult but a true fact! Do you know the differences between plant and animal cells? What about the similarities? Tune in to watch Mike explain these topics.
DNA barcoding allows for the identification of an organism through analysis of a short region of DNA within its genome, similar to how the pattern of bars in a universal product code (UPC) identifies each consumer product.
The DNALC Live “Biology Teacher’s Lounge” is a town hall-style event to connect middle and high school teachers with DNALC educators to share experiences, concerns, and ideas for making the best of this difficult situation.
Energy keeps everything going, especially all living things! Join Elna Gottlieb in this DNALC Live Short as we explore the organelles that harness that energy, the mitochondria.
You are the product of billions of years of evolutionary change! Join anthropologist Lindsay Barone to explore the hominins one-by-one in the DNALC Live series Species Shorts.
Bioinformatics uses information technology, such as computers and computer programs, to study the information in DNA and proteins. In this activity, you will use these tools to understand the true cause of sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder of the hemoglobin beta gene.
Spiders are one of the most misunderstood of all invertebrates. Many would regard them as creepy or frightening, but a closer look reveals both great beauty and surprising intelligence.
The College Board has announced that this year’s AP® Biology Exam will consist only of Units 1 – 6. The DNALC seeks to help students with content from Units 5 and 6, which pertain to molecular biology and genetics.
Neurons are special cell types of animal nervous systems. Though they come in many shapes and sizes, they are some of the most interesting cells with unique structures that are closely linked to cellular function! Join DNALC educator Jeff Petracca for a brief discussion of neuron structure and how it allows these amazing cells to send messages throughout an animals' body.
Electrical messages are often propagated down a neuron's axon using an electrochemical phenomenon, known as an action potential. Join DNALC educator Jeff Petracca for an exploration of the how action potentials are actually generated by neurons and the electrochemical processes that allow neurons to rapidly transfer information from one cell to another.
You are the product of billions of years of evolutionary change! Join anthropologist Lindsay Barone to explore the hominins one-by-one in the DNALC Live series Species Shorts.
Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is a bitter substance that only certain people can taste. This three-part series will explore the genetics behind a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the taste receptor, TAS2R38, that affects an individual’s ability to taste PTC.
You are the product of billions of years of evolutionary change! Join anthropologist Lindsay Barone to explore the hominins one-by-one in the DNALC Live series Species Shorts.
All living things have a genome, including us! Join Amanda for a tour of the Genome section of the DNA Learning Center’s Our Human Inheritance exhibit and learn the story of the human genome and some of our interesting genes.
Ants are seemingly insignificant creatures, often regarded as pests. Yet, beneath our feet, they form huge societies with complex social dynamics that play an important role in our ecosystem.
Transcription and translation are two essential processes that all cells use in order to make proteins. Join us as we explore how the information in the DNA is used to make mRNA and how proteins are built.
Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is a bitter substance that only certain people can taste. This three-part series will explore the genetics behind a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the taste receptor, TAS2R38, that affects an individual’s ability to taste PTC.
Within the eukaryotic nucleus, DNA and special proteins are packaged together to form nucleosomes, the basic repeating unit of chromatin. These dynamic chromatin structures help to regulate important cellular processes! Join Sharon Pepenella for a brief look inside the world of DNA packaging.
You are the product of billions of years of evolutionary change! Join anthropologist Lindsay Barone to explore the hominins one-by-one in the DNALC Live series Species Shorts.
Join us for our Meet the Scientist series, where we introduce you to scientists doing exciting work in academia, industry, medicine, and more! Scientists will discuss their current projects and personal journeys to becoming the experts they are today.
Coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. Like terrestrial rainforests, reefs provide habitat for countless numbers of species from fish that utilize them as spawning grounds to marine turtles that stop by in search of food.
The College Board has announced that this year’s AP® Biology Exam will consist only of Units 1 – 6. The DNALC seeks to help students with content from Units 5 and 6, which pertain to molecular biology and genetics.
Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is a bitter substance that only certain people can taste. This three-part series will explore the genetics behind a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the taste receptor, TAS2R38, that affects an individual’s ability to taste PTC.
RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a widely used experimental approach in molecular biology. RNA-Seq allows us to measure the level of RNA in cells and tissues, and therefore make inferences about what genes are active, under what circumstances, and when.
Have you ever wondered how it is that all of the cells in your body have the same DNA – the same set of instructions – but different types of cells can do different things?
Restriction Enzymes are molecular "scissors" that precisely cut DNA. Learn how they were discovered by scientists working with viruses called bacteriophage.
Did you know that scientists can use jellyfish proteins to track the activity of genes? Join us to learn how 3 scientists were awarded a Nobel Prize for their work with Green Fluorescent Protein, and how it is now used in molecular biology laboratories around the world!
The precise measurement of liquids is extremely important in molecular biology. In this lab demonstration, learn how to properly use a micropipette, the tool used to measure volumes of 1 milliliter and less!
The first step in agarose gel electrophoresis is to cast an agarose gel. Learn how to prepare an agarose solution, and use a casting tray and comb to create an agarose gel that can be used for separation of DNA fragments by size.
Join us for a demonstration of agarose gel electrophoresis. This process uses electricity to separate DNA fragments by size as they migrate through a gel matrix.
Have you heard about "CRISPR" but aren't quite sure what it means? This short video will introduce you to the basics of CRISPR-Cas9 and how it can be used to edit genomes!
In this activity, you will use bioinformatics tools to understand how DNA sequence similarities are being used to understand shared ancestry between individuals, populations and species.
How can you see the invisible? Fluorescent proteins and two-photon microscopy help scientists to see fine structures or particular molecules of cells. Join Catherine Zhang in exploring this imaging method used for science discovery.
Throughout this series, we have seen many amazing adaptations of invertebrates that contribute to their survival. Yet, some of their most surprising and unbelievable behaviors center around finding mates in order to reproduce.
The College Board has announced that this year’s AP® Biology Exam will consist only of Units 1 – 6. The DNALC seeks to help students with content from Units 5 and 6, which pertain to molecular biology and genetics.
RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a widely used experimental approach in molecular biology. RNA-Seq allows us to measure the level of RNA in cells and tissues, and therefore make inferences about what genes are active, under what circumstances, and when.
Although the DNA from different individuals is more alike than different, there are many regions of human chromosomes that exhibit a great deal of diversity. Such variable sequences are termed “polymorphic” (meaning many forms) and provide the basis for forensic identification.
Centrifugation is a technique that applies centrifugal force to separate samples by density, or to collect a solution at the bottom of a tube, by spinning the samples at high speeds. Join us to learn how to properly set-up and run a centrifuge!
Fingerprints, like DNA, are unique to each individual. For this reason, fingerprinting has been used throughout history for identification. Join DNALC instructor Brittany for this DNALC Live Short to learn how to identify basic fingerprints and look at your own.
Join DNALC instructor Erin to discover how pollen in Ötzi’s digestive system was used as a forensic tool to create a timeline of where he may have been in the final 36 hours before his untimely demise.
Although the DNA from different individuals is more alike than different, there are many regions of human chromosomes that exhibit a great deal of diversity. Such variable sequences are termed “polymorphic” (meaning many forms) and provide the basis for forensic identification.
Blood stains are not always easy to identify, especially if someone has tried to wipe them away. Join Elna Gottlieb as she explores the compound Luminol, which can make blood cells glow!
This simple animation gives an overview of the macromolecules that make up SARS-CoV-2 as well as a basic chemical explanation as to why soap destroys the virus. Keep on scrubbing!
Although the DNA from different individuals is more alike than different, there are many regions of human chromosomes that exhibit a great deal of diversity. Such variable sequences are termed “polymorphic” (meaning many forms) and provide the basis for forensic identification.
Many stories have been told about the Romanovs, the last royal family of Russia. During the Russian Revolution of 1918 the Romanovs went missing. It was determined that that the family was likely murdered...
Could it be a case of mistaken identity? Fingerprints are unique to each individual, like DNA, but similarities do occur. How do you differentiate between two closely-related fingerprints?
Amanda McBrien introduces a NY Stories video created with students from Brooklyn International School; join them as they interview Dr. Martin Chalfie at Columbia University to learn about his Nobel Prize-winning work with Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP).
The liver is an organ that detoxifies chemicals. All vertebrate organisms have livers! However, many of us do not know how the liver handles these molecules. Join DNALC instructor Mike Paul to find out how the liver breaks hydrogen peroxide into chemicals that are not harmful to living things.
Amanda McBrien introduces a NY Stories video created with students from Trinity School in New York City. They perform a DNA Fingerprinting lab to identify the presence or absence of a transposable piece of DNA called an Alu Insertion.
Join DNALC instructor Brittany Johnson to learn how human genetics and lifestyle can affect a trait like lactose tolerance, and how enzymes produced in labs are used in industry to prepare lactose-free milk.
The Center for Humanities and the History of Modern Biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory invites you to join an online live discussion with Siddhartha Mukherjee to discuss how DNA has shaped both our bodies and modern society, and the promises and pitfalls of genetics.
Join DNALC educator Jeff Petracca and the staff of the Long Island Aquarium for an introduction to the diversity of reptiles and amphibians, and learn about the interesting behavioral and structural adaptations that have allowed them to occupy so many different types of ecosystems!
Join DNALC instructor Brittany Johnson to learn how cells use genetic instructions to create thousands of different proteins. We’ll focus on a group of proteins called enzymes that act as catalysts in cells and perform an experiment that demonstrates how we can harness the power of enzymes in industry.
Join DNALC educator Allison Mayle as she explores the roles of enzymes in DNA Methylation. We'll discuss how cells pass their methylation pattern on when they divide, maintenance methylation, and de novo methylation!
Join us for our Meet the Scientist series, where we introduce you to scientists doing exciting work in academia, industry, medicine, and more! Scientists will discuss their current projects and personal journeys to becoming the experts they are today.
DNA barcoding is a popular technique for undergraduate research projects. In this webinar, Dr. Linnea Fletcher (Austin Community College, InnovATEBIO) will describe how this technique can be adapted for use in biotechnology education programs by incorporating principles of working in a regulated environment such as GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices).
Though many people fear bees and wasps, most of these amazing insects pose little threat to humans. In fact, when you take a closer look, many have incredible lifestyles and habits!
Amanda McBrien introduces a NY Stories video created with students from Brooklyn International School; join them as they visit Columbia University in search of Tomas Hunt Morgan's "Fly Room" where the very first explorations of genetic mapping took place in the early 1900's with Drosophila fruit flies.
In this activity, you will use bioinformatics tools to understand how DNA sequence similarities reveal relationships between species. You will start with a puzzling question: why do humans have fewer chromosomes than chimpanzees?
For the past 6 years, high school students and teachers across Long Island have participated in the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center’s research program, Barcode Long Island (BLI). Through this National Institutes of Health funded program, student teams use DNA barcoding to address biodiversity-focused research projects.
Most Americans might be surprised to know that over 90% of the corn and soy crops grown in the Unites States are genetically modified. The production of GMOs, or Genetically Modified Organisms is a well-debated topic, especially when it comes to our food!
The Urban Barcode Project (UBP) is a science program spanning the five boroughs of New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area. The UBP is the first large-scale effort to engage high school students using DNA technology to explore biodiversity in New York City and is currently supported by The Thompson Family Foundation.
Amanda McBrien introduces a NY Stories video created with students from the Trinity School in NYC; join them as they interview Dr. Scott Lowe at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to learn about how restriction enzymes can be used by scientists to learn more about cellular processes, including cancer.
As a follow up to part I, DNALC instructor Jeff will demonstrate how gel electrophoresis is used to confirm the presence of foreign genes in DNA from common foods.
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