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1 August 2014 Beyond the Central Dogma: Bringing Epigenetics into the Classroom
Dina Drits-Esser, Molly Malone, Nicola C. Barber, Louisa A. Stark
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Abstract

Epigenetics is the study of how external factors and internal cellular signals can lead to changes in the packaging and processing of DNA sequences, thereby altering the expression of genes and traits. Exploring the epigenome introduces students to environmental influences on our genes and the complexities of gene expression. A supplemental curriculum module developed by the Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) at the University of Utah brings epigenetics to high school and undergraduate classrooms through a range of online and paper-based activities. We describe these activities and provide strategies for incorporating both introductory and more advanced materials that explore “cell memory,” epigenetic inheritance, nutrition, and emerging connections between the epigenome and behavior. Finally, we outline recent reach on student learning gains using the GSLC's epigenetics module and provide connections to the Next Generation Science Standards.

©2014 by National Association of Biology Teachers. All rights reserved. Request permission to photocopy or reproduce article content at the University of California Press's Rights and Permissions Web site at www.ucpressjournals.com/reprintinfo.asp.
Dina Drits-Esser, Molly Malone, Nicola C. Barber, and Louisa A. Stark "Beyond the Central Dogma: Bringing Epigenetics into the Classroom," The American Biology Teacher 76(6), 365-369, (1 August 2014). https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2014.76.6.3
Published: 1 August 2014
JOURNAL ARTICLE
5 PAGES

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KEYWORDS
curriculum
DNA
epigenetics
Genetics
instruction
technology
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