Molecular Databases pt. 2

• Goals: a student and teacher friendly database that is set up for straightforward inquiry

• A site containing lots of support information and links without getting lost

• A credible source of information (sticky portal)

Vector.cshl.org

• Developed by the DNA learning Center at Cold Springs Harbor

• Contains many great sites

Great animation links!!

Great tutorials!!

Use BioServer links to conduct genetic analysis.

http://vector.cshl.org/bioserver/

In-class comparisons

• Student 1 x student 2= 16

• Student 1 x student 3 = 20

• Student 2 x student 3 = 19

Student 1 vs. student 2: 16 differences/426 base pairs

Developing Testable Hypotheses

• Predictions about in-class differences vs actual differences

• Within class/between class differences• Your class vs. populations from around the

world • Does the timeline of prehistoric DNA

explain the differences, or is it genetic drift?

Using the Allele Server

http://vector.cshl.org/html/sad/sad.html

•Testing for HW Equilibrium•More possibilities in the sequence server

Conducting experiments

• Set up some sample investigations

• Get them to design their own

• How much data is enough data?– Check out the allele server for Hardy Weinberg

analysis– Check out the simulator server for a very cool

migration simulation of the UV radiation/melanin hypothesis

Advanced Experiments

• Recent literature challenges the out of Africa model based on a population cluster in Australia that is very close to the Neandertal pattern.

• Is this evidence for simultaneous evolution of Homo sapien or is it due to genetic drift?

• You can test this data using the simulation server

Beware!!

• Beware of small data sets and premature conclusions!

• Beware the monkey boy problem!

• Always consider the need for more data and alternative explanations!