Team:Alberta/Software

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TEAM ALBERTA

Genomikon - Companion Software

To assist students in performing their very first molecular biology experiments, we created an online, electronic lab manual to walk them through the process. At [http://www.genomikon.ca GENOMIKON.CA], users of the kit will find an electronic, interactive lab manual. Bringing the lab manual into the twenty-first century, GENOMIKON.CA compliments the kit. It will not only inform students, but also empower them to create their own experiments and share them with the world in an online, DYI molecular biology community.

The Lab Manual

Get started with your first molecular biology experiments

A page out of the lab manual.

The lab manual starts with a set of experiments of predefined experiments, selected with several criteria in mind:

  • Fun
  • Completable using only materials available in the kit
  • Teach concepts that inline with a high school biology curriculum
  • Extend beyond the traditional curriculum to inspire students

We used the Province of Alberta's high school curriculum as a model.

To see specific examples check out the experiments page.

As the students progress through the experiments they can take notes and even upload images of their results. [Image:team-alberta-lab-manual-notes.jpg]

Plasmid Design Tool

design your plasmid before you build

In silico plasmid designer

The most exciting feature of our kit is the plasmid design tool. It has an easy to use drag and drop interface, and has built in validation to catch your errors before your build in the lab.

Learn more about the plasmid designer here

[http://www.genomikon.ca/sandbox Try the plasmid designer out for yourself right now]

generate instructions and share your design

After you create a valid plasmid you can save it and a lab protocol will automatically be created. Then you can edit the instructions, add figures, images and a description. Once your ready click publish and share your cool experiment for others to try.

The Encyclopedia

Develop a deeper understanding

The encyclopaedia index

To offer some extra context to the experiments we have included a selection of articles about synthetic biology and various biology concepts relating to the kit and the high school curriculum. They are integrated with the experiments and also available separately for review. [Image:team-alberta-articles.jpg]

An Integrated Glossary

A definition is never further than your pointer

We have an integrated glossary throughout the website for easy access to definitions

The glossary, showing a mouse-over popup for a glossary term.

File:Team-alberta-articles.jpg

Student Groups & Sharing Your Experiments

share your experiments and communicate with your classmates

Teachers can create groups and have their students join it. This allows classes to communicate with each other