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Genetics & Genomics Project Ideas

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Showing 1 - 5 of 5 Project Ideas
Learning Your A, G, C's (and T, too)
Learning Your A, G, C's (and T, too)
Difficulty
Time Required Very Short (≤ 1 day)
Prerequisites You should have studied Life Science
Material Availability None required
Cost Very Low (under $20)
Safety No issues

This is a project about the "molecular alphabet" of DNA. With just four "letters," it manages to keep track of the plan for an entire person, and keep a complete copy in nearly every cell. This project will help you start learning this new alphabet. Read more
Pedigree Analysis: A Family Tree of Traits
Pedigree Analysis: A Family Tree of Traits
Difficulty
Time Required Short (2-5 days)
Prerequisites Basic understanding of genetic principles
Material Availability Readily available
Cost Very Low (under $20)
Safety No issues

Some characteristics, like the shape of your hairline, whether your earlobes are attached or detached, and whether or not you have freckles, are inherited from your parents. In this science project you'll see how writing these characteristics onto a family tree can help you determine how they are inherited. Read more
Are Fingerprint Patterns Inherited?
Are Fingerprint Patterns Inherited?
Difficulty
Time Required Short (2-5 days)
Prerequisites Basic understanding of genetic inheritance

Consent forms must be signed for each person participating in this experiment. You should inform people that although fingerprints can be used as forms of identification you'll assign their fingerprints a code and not use their name so that the fingerprint remains anonymous. For children under the age of 18, parents must grant consent. In addition, the fair's Scientific Review Committee (SRC) must approve the experimental design (including consent forms).
Material Availability Readily available
Cost Very Low (under $20)
Safety No issues

Fingerprints are used as reliable identification because each person's fingerprints are unique. But are these unique patterns created randomly or are they influenced by genetics? Read more
From Genes to Genetic Diseases: What Kinds of Mutations Matter?
From Genes to Genetic Diseases: What Kinds of Mutations Matter?
Difficulty
Time Required Short (2-5 days)
Prerequisites Basic understanding of what genes, DNA, and proteins are.
Material Availability Readily available
Cost Very Low (under $20)
Safety No issues

Our genes are made up of hundreds to millions of building blocks, called DNA nucleotides, and if just a single nucleotide of DNA becomes mutated it might cause a devastating genetic disease. But sometimes a mutation actually does no damage. What kinds of mutations have to occur to cause a genetic disease? In this science project, you will explore online genetic databases to identify how a mutation in a gene can result in a dysfunctional… Read more
How Much DNA Can You Pack into a Cell?
How Much DNA Can You Pack into a Cell?
Difficulty
Time Required Short (2-5 days)
Prerequisites None
Material Availability This science fair project requires the use of a computer with Internet access.
Cost Very Low (under $20)
Safety No issues

Have you ever tried to pack a suitcase? If so, you know that no matter how hard you try, there is a limit to the amount you can cram in, which means if you have more stuff, you need a bigger suitcase! Do you think the same principle applies to DNA in a cell? Does an animal with a bigger genome need a larger cell nucleus to store its DNA? Try this science project and find out! Read more
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