understanding covid-19
American Association for the Advancement of Science:
Coronavirus: Research, Commentary, and News
Highlighted Story: How does coronavirus kill? Clinicians trace a ferocious rampage through the body, from brain to toes
BioPharmaceutical Technology Center (BTC) Institute:
In partnership with members of Promega Corporation’s Scientific Applications and Training team, Amy Prevost (our Director, Scientific Courses), has developed a set of COVID-19 Workflow Modules. These three presentations are designed to assist non-scientists in gaining a better understanding of coronaviruses.
In partnership with members of Promega Corporation’s Scientific Applications and Training team, Amy Prevost (Education Director), has developed a set of COVID-19 Workflow Modules. These three presentations are designed to assist non-scientists in gaining a better understanding of coronaviruses.
Specifically, they provide an introduction to how we isolate and purify viral RNA, how we amplify particular genes associated with the novel coronavirus in order to diagnose cases, and what the data looks like. The series ends with a discussion related to nucleic acid testing vs. protein tests, including information about what these different types of tests can tell us.
(1) Viral RNA Purification for COVID-19 Detection
(2) Amplification Technologies to Diagnose COVID-19
(3) Protein Production and Analysis in COVID-19
HudsonAlpha Institute For Biotechnology:
Dr. Neil Lamb presents Beyond the Blog, a companion to Shareable Science, to help make sense of the science related to the coronavirus COVID-19.
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell:
The Coronavirus Explained & What You Should Do is a helpful video resource on the Coronavirus made in consultation with experts.
miniPCR bio:
Dr. Alex Dainis presents up-to-date information in this COVID-19 webinar on the science behind the pandemic and efforts to contain it through molecular testing, answering questions about the genetics of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
Promega Corporation:
What is RNA?
SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus – but what is RNA?
Why Is RNA Extraction Important for COVID-19 Testing and Research?
RNA is a critical component to identify and test for the presence of a virus.
Why Is qPCR Important for COVID-19 Testing and Research?
qPCR is a critical technique to identify and amplify a piece of RNA. This helps us verify the presence or absence of a virus.
Why Is Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Helpful for Protecting Yourself from COVID-19?
Great visuals to explain the importance of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (plus soap works just as well!)
University of Wisconsin – Madison:
SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 Coloring Book
Dr. Jean-Yves Sgro from UW-Madison’s Biochemistry department created this coloring book to educate and entertain.
Online biotechnology resources
Concord Consortium – Interactive STEM activities
Promega Student Resource Center
Professional Organizations
Government Agencies
Centers for Disease Control Teacher Roadmap
National Center for Biotechnology Information
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Heath: Office of Science Education
National Institute of Standards and Technology – Short Tandem Repeats used in forensics
Other Sites of Interest
American Type Tissue Collection
Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
Columbia Engineering Boot Camps: Free Resources for Improving Diversity in Open Source STEM Projects
International Society for Stem Cell Research
K-12 Curricula, Field Trip Programs & Teacher Workshops/Courses
Bay Area Biotechnology Education Consortium (BABEC)
City Lab at Boston University Medical College
Dolan DNA Learning Center at Cold Spring Harbor
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
InnovATEBIO – National Biotechnology Education Center
Massachusetts Society for Medical Research
New England BioLabs (NEB)
NEB Course Support & Reagent Donation
Northwest Association for Biomedical Research
Partnership for Biotechnology and Genomics Education (PBGE)
University of Utah – Genetic Science Learning Center
University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center – BioTrek
Virginia Commonwealth University (videos)
Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery – Town Center Programs