Genomics is an excellent area of research for students who are good with computers. If you are comfortable navigating somewhat complicated websites and enjoy manipulating and downloading computer files, then genomics might be a good fit for you.
So what exactly is genomics? Genomics is the study of the entire set of an organism's genes (or the genes of multiple organisms) and their functions, using techniques such as mapping, sequencing, analyzing and modeling. Genomics aims to look at all genes together as a complex and dynamic system. Specialists in genomics hope that their discoveries will lead to innovative new ways to design diagnostic tests as well as therapies to treat diseases. Check out some of the topics that are featured in the Project Ideas below:
Using computer programs to identify, visualize, and analyze DNA sequences
Using computational tools to investigate the causes of genetic diseases or to study the evolution of species
Comparing human and animal DNA sequences to infer how closely related we are to those animals
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.
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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.
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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?
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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!
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Farmers face a variety of challenges in their efforts to grow crops. One of the chief challenges is the presence of unwanted plants (weeds) that compete with the crop plants for water, nutrients, and light. If the weeds are not suppressed, they can reduce or completely eliminate the amount of food derived from the crop at harvest. In this biotechnology and plant science fair project, you will simulate the competition between crop plants and weeds, and determine whether the use of an herbicide, Roundup®, provides a growth advantage to genetically modified plants.
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