This platform is aimed primarily at secondary school students and science and technology teachers. It presents the basic concepts of genetics, as well as introducing the more advanced notions of genomics. Génome Québec also offers free classroom activities to help students put their knowledge into practice.
A reliable and relevant resource
The platform was developed with teachers and educational consultants to meet their needs, as well as the requirements of the Québec Ministry of Education’s Science and Technology program. In addition, all content and activities were developed with the support of scientific teams.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, we would love to hear from you.
Please contact us at the following email adress : education@genomequebec.com
Careers in Genomics
Working in genomics
àGenomics offers a range of career opportunities that require different levels of education.
Biomedical Laboratory Technician*
Required level of education: College
Biomedical laboratory technicians conduct control tests on product samples based on specifications, protocols and standard operating procedures. They provide technical support to various departments: analytical, control or bio-analytical. Technicians use a variety of laboratory techniques to carry out chemical, biochemical or genetic tests.
Examples of typical duties:
Conducting physical, chemical, biological, biochemical or microbiological testing on samples of raw materials or finished products.
Performing analytical problem solving.
Producing documents on the results of sample testing.
Biochemist
Required level of education: University
Biochemists study and analyze chemical reactions and biological processes that occur at the molecular level of living organisms in order to enhance scientific knowledge. They also seek out real-world applications for research in areas such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, genetics, agriculture, industry and even biotechnology.
Examples of typical duties:
Studying the chemical processes involved in the various functions of organisms, such as digestion, energy conversion in living matter, growth and aging.
Isolating and characterizing enzymes, hormones or genes and identifying their impact on the human body.
Using genetic engineering techniques.
Developing tests and new drugs.
Producing reports and recommendations on research results.
Biologist
Required level of education: University
Biologists study living beings. They strive to understand how cells work. They focus on areas such as DNA replication and animal or plant cells in order to discover new therapeutic substances. They also study the chemical reactions in biological entities. They are fascinated by the interactions between active substances and living organisms. They are also interested in microorganisms, such as viruses, fungi and bacteria.
Examples of typical duties:
Studying manifestations of life in living organisms.
Conducting experiments on the growth, heredity and reproduction of plants and animals.
Studying the repercussions of human activities on the environment.
Studying the relationships among individuals (plants and animals) and their environment.
Microbiologist
Required level of education: University
Microbiologists study the structure, functions, ecology, biotechnology and genetics of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, yeasts, fungi, algae) by conducting experiments and research to enhance scientific knowledge and develop practical applications for society and industry.
Examples of typical duties:
Taking samples from living tissue.
Isolating, identifying and harvesting specimens in the lab.
Studying the action of microorganisms on living tissue (infectious diseases) and examining how they propagate as infectious agents.
Studying microorganisms that decompose organic matter and fertilize soil.
Controlling the safety of food and water.
Controlling the quality of pharmaceuticals, drugs, cosmetics, pesticides, etc.
Many other professions require the use of genomics
College level:
Analytical chemistry technician
Chemical process technician
Inspector
Crime scene technician
University level:
Biophysicist
Chemist
Coroner
Biotechnology engineer
To learn more about the various careers related to genomics, talk to your school guidance counsellor or consult the programs of study offered by the schools in your area.
GMO is an acronym for genetically modified organism. It refers to a living being, whether microorganism, plant or animal, whose genetic material has undergone a specific transformation by a method known as transgenesis.
Transgenesis is similar to microscopic surgery, where a gene is added, removed or modified directly in the DNA of an organism at the moment of conception. The aim is to change one or more of its characteristics. For example, we can create more resistant and productive plant varieties to feed more people.
In Canada, GMOs are regulated in the same way as agricultural products produced using conventional methods. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada and Environment Canada share responsibility for approving GMOs. The federal government considers approved GMOs to be equivalent to standard products and harmless to health.
Almost all GMOs approved in Canada are plants or microorganisms. For example, Bt grain corn, a GMO for animal feed, is resistant to an insect that is harmful to crops, while a genetically modified bacterium secretes a human insulin used to treat diabetes.
The only genetically modified animal currently approved for commercialization is a growth-accelerated salmon.
Cloning means creating genetically identical copies of a living being or of one of its parts. In other words, clones share the same genetic material.
Scientists remove the nucleus from a cell that belongs to the individual living being they wish to clone. The nucleus is where your find the DNA molecules that contain genes. This nucleus is then transferred to an egg whose own nucleus has been removed. From this artificially made cell, an embryo will develop and grow into an individual that is genetically identical to the original.
In Canada, cloning human beings is prohibited. Under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, this ban applies to human clones for both reproductive and therapeutic purposes.
It is interesting to note that cloning happens in nature too. All single-cell organisms, such as bacteria, reproduce by making a copy of themselves during cellular division
Identical twins are also a kind of natural clone! In fact, monozygotic twins (born from the same egg) have the same genetic make-up.
In some species, the females can lay eggs that do not need to be fertilized by males. Yet, they contain chicks. This is known as parthenogenesis, another form of natural cloning. Individuals born from asexual reproduction are genetically identical to their biological mothers and do not have a biological father. Many vertebrate species are capable of reproducing through parthenogenesis. These include certain sharks, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Whiptail lizards are a female-only species that reproduce solely through parthenogenesis.
Certain plants, too, propagate by producing special structures (e.g., bublets, stolons, rhizomes, etc.). These types of reproduction in plants are actually a form of cloning. When gardening, we also take part in plant cloning. For instance, plant cutting is used to grow individuals using a piece of the plant, such as a leaf, stem, root, etc. Layering involves taking an aerial stem and putting it in contact with damp soil to get a new root to grow. A stem or branch is partially buried where it will develop a new system of roots independent from the parent plant. This type of propagation in plants is considered asexual reproduction. Unlike sexual reproduction, which requires the fusion of gametes (e.g., sperm and egg), asexual reproduction is the capacity to reproduce without a partner.
Educational space
Welcome to the Educational space
This platform is aimed primarily at secondary school students and science and technology teachers. It presents the basic concepts of genetics, as well as introducing the more advanced notions of genomics. Génome Québec also offers free classroom activities to help students put their knowledge into practice.
A reliable and relevant resource
The platform was developed with teachers and educational consultants to meet their needs, as well as the requirements of the Québec Ministry of Education’s Science and Technology program. In addition, all content and activities were developed with the support of scientific teams.
Are you a science and technology teacher, a lab technician or an education consultant? Are you looking for an activity on genetics that will engage your students?
Detailed and user-friendly teaching materials (teacher’s guide, student handbook, videos, PowerPoint presentation) are made available to support you throughout the experience. By the end of this process, you and your students will have uncovered the secrets of analyzing DNA results!
Reserve your kit today and take your students on a science adventure they won’t soon forget!
During this activity, your students will be able to:
Replicate real fragments of human DNA
Use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Make DNA migrate in agarose gel electrophoresis
Analyze the results
Testimonials
“I loved this experiment. The electrophoresis is a very interesting technique that was fun to do.” — ANNICK ROCHELEAU, LAB TECHNICIAN, ÉCOLE SECONDAIRE ARMAND-CORBEIL (TERREBONNE)
“Great experience that gave students the chance to apply their theoretical knowledge and bridge the gap with careers in science.” — YERO BA, MATH AND SVT TEACHER, COLLÈGE STANILAS (QUÉBEC)
“The material was so well organized and the quality of the documents was great: it had everything! The activity was interesting and original. Students really liked it. Thank you very much!” — KARINE LESSARD, TEACHER, POLYVALENTE CHANOINE-ARMAND-RACICOT (SAINT-JEAN-SUR-RICHELIEU)
From gene to protein
Genetics Basic Concepts
Genes and chromosomes
You can think of the DNA content of a cell as a cookbook that contains recipes describing the living organism right down to the tiniest detail. The recipes are the genes.
A gene is a fragment of DNA that accounts for a specific characteristic, such as hair colour, ability to digest dairy or any other information pertaining to the organism’s appearance or functioning. It is made up of a very precise sequence of nitrogenous bases (ACTGTTAGC…), the building blocks of a DNA molecule. When decoding the sequence of a particular gene (the recipe), a cell can manufacture a specific protein. A gene can have several different forms, with one or more different nitrogenous bases. These variant forms of a gene are called alleles. In the case of eye colour, for instance, you can have alleles that contain information for brown, blue, green or grey pigment.
DNA containing our genes is located in the nucleus of the cell. It is bound to proteins to form a material known as chromatin. When a cell divides, it must start by organizing this whole mess. Chromatin then takes on a more compact form: chromosomes. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes; they look like 46 little rods. Cellular biologists have given each of the pairs a number. The first 22 pairs of chromosomes are called autosomes. The 23rd pair of chromosomes is different: it holds the sex chromosomes. In humans, there are two types of sex chromosomes: X and Y, which each contains information on the development of female and male genders. In females, the 23rd pair has two X chromosomes. In males, it has one X chromosome and one Y
ChromatinGenesChromosomes
The protein
Protein synthesis
Proteins are large molecules that can perform many different jobs. They can facilitate chemical reactions (e.g., enzymes), provide structural support (e.g., cytoskeleton), transmit signals from the surface of the cell (e.g., membrane receptors), and much more. But where do they come from?
This 3D animation shows how proteins are made in the cell from the information in the DNA code. To download the subtitles (.srt) for this site, please use the following link: https://goo.gl/Ew7l69 and for more information, please view the video and explore related resources on our site: http://www.yourgenome.org/video/from-dna-to-protein
The genes in our DNA are similar to recipes used to make proteins. But since the recipes are coded using nitrogenous bases(ATCG), they must first be translated. Many proteins work together on this translation task. The strands of the DNAdouble helix must first give way so that the targeted gene may be accessed. Proteins then produce an identical copy of the targeted DNA sequence: a messenger RNA.
This copy of the recipe, now transcribed as an RNA messenger, is then sent outside the cell nucleus since proteins are made elsewhere in the cell. From there, ribosomes, small particles present in large number around the nucleus, will serve as chefs by reading the recipe to make the protein. Amino acids are the basic ingredients that go into the protein recipe and the ribosomes use the plan provided by the messenger RNA to put the amino acids in the right order and form a long chain. Amino acids are organic molecules that contain amine, a chemical compound derived from ammonia. Chemists know hundreds of amino acids, but only 20 of them form proteins. But proteins in this linear form are not yet ready. To function, it must fold up on itself origami style. This is when it changes from a single chain to a complex, three-dimensional structure.
Bonus material
RNA (ribonucleic acid) is almost identical to DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Its structure is similar on a chemical level, but less stable. While DNA has the shape of a twisted ladder formed by two complementary halves, RNA is most often composed of a single strand. It looks like a ladder that has been cut in half from top to bottom. As with DNA, RNA is made of four types of nitrogenous bases that line up in a very specific sequence. In DNA, these bases are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) and guanine (G). But in RNA, thymine is replaced with uracil (U), which is also able to pair with adenine (A). But why do we not find uracil in DNA? It’s to make it easier to repair DNA when a mutation occurs. Cytosine is sometimes converted into uracil by mistake. If DNA was made up of uracil rather than thymine, it would be hard for the cell to know which uracil molecules are mistakes that need to be corrected. However, this problem does not apply to RNA because of its brief lifespan. More often than not, RNA molecules serve their purpose in just a few minutes before being recycled.
In search of DNA
In collaboration with UQAM’s Coeur des sciences, “In search of DNA” is a participatory conference for high-school students in both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2.
Virtually invite a Ph.D. student into your classroom to transform one period (approx. 60 minutes) into a “Sprint de science”!
Immerse yourself in the world of genomics research and discover how to decode DNA collected from the environment. Through various activities, try to answer the research question put to you. You’ll need to use all your knowledge and make connections between the cell, DNA, ecosystems and living organisms.
To register, consult the fact sheet and links to the Québec Education Program (QEP), visit the Coeur des sciences de l’UQAM website (French only).
Learn more
This section is dedicated to those who want an in-depth understanding of how DNA works.
So that DNA no longer holds any secrets for you, go through the sections in the following order:
