Primer on Molecular Genetics This is a primer on molecular genetics constructed by the Department of Energy. It has good introductions to what genes, DNA, chromosomes, etc. are, as well as a decent glossary.

Genomics: A Global Resource A site developed and maintained by the Pharmecutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) for the dissemination of information on emerging genetic research and related issues. You'll find many links to sites dealing with genomics and DNA science.

A Gene Map of the Human Genome This site contains genetic mapping information from the Human Genome Project. Genetic map locations are correlated with cyctogenic band maps in a graphic and pictorial manner. You can find information and the location of many genetic disorders and conditions.

Human Genome Program Another page maintained by the Department of Energy. This is a good directory to a lot of information related to the Human Genome Project (e.g., databases, specific labs, etc.).

Research Registry for Hereditary Hearing Loss The Hereditary Hearing Impairment Resource Registry (HHIRR) at the Boys Town National Research Hospital is sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. This site has a list of informational bulletins distributed by the HHIRR, which are available online. Most notably, there is a collection of basic information about genetic concepts (e.g., Glossary of genetic terms).

Genetics in Context: A Comparative Timeline In this age of molecular genetics and biotechnology (much of it in the area of genetics), it's easy to lose sight of the historical persepctive on the development of knowledge in the broad field of genetics. This nice timeline provides detailed information on important advances and dicoveries in genetics juxtaposed with well-known historical events. This site is maintained by Electronic Scholorly Publishing.

Blazing a Genetic Trail This online document produced by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute discusses several issues relating to the inheritance and study of genetic disorder including how mutations in DNA occur, how and why DNA sequences are studied by researchers and how different types of generic disorders are inherited. There is also a useful illustrated key to genetic concepts as well as a glossary.

GeneCards: human genes, proteins and diseases This site, maintained by Weizmann Institute of Science, is "a database of human genes, their products and their involvement in diseases. It offers concise information about the functions of all human genes that have an approved symbol, as well as selected others. It is especially useful for those who are searching for information about large sets of genes or proteins ..." You can search the database by several methods, including chromosome number (e.g., chromosome 11), locus identifier (e.g., 1p21 (amylase)), gene product (e.g., leucine), disease name (e.g., muscular dystrophy) and GenBank accession number (e.g., ABO blood group).

Molecular Biology Quiz This is a fairly challenging quiz on all aspects of molecular biology (not just genetics, although much of it does concern aspects of genetics). You must register before taking the quiz by providing a name, title and email address, although all of this information can be fictitious if you prefer. The quiz draws from a pool of questions so you can take it more than once and receive different questions. The quiz was developed by the the Waksman Student Scholars of the Waksman Institute at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

DNA Structure Eric Martz of the University of Massachusetts has constructed this great tutorial to discuss the varioous aspects of DNA structure. The entire tutorial is built around using PDB (protein data base) files and the Chime plugin so you will need to make sure you have the plugin installed properly. This is one of the best web-based introductions to DNA structure. Required: Chime plugin and JavaScript-enabled browser

Cytogenetics Gallery From the main page: "Cytogenetics is the study of chromosomes and chromosome abnormalities. The purpose of this Cytogenetics Gallery is to give you the opportunity to see what chromosomes look like under the microscope and how abnormalities of chromosomes are identified." There are nice graphics here showing what human chromosomes look like (e.g., normal karyotypes), genetic abnormalities (e.g., chromosomal inversions) and how chromosomes are studied (e.g., examination of banding patterns )

DNA: the Instruction Manual for All Life This is an online exhibit from the The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California and discusses various basics concepts of DNA and how functions as the molecule of heredity. Particularly interesting is the "Zoom into DNA" feature which allows the user with successive mouse clicks to move from the level of the individual down to the level of the DNA molecule.

The Gene School This great site was an entry in the ThinkQuest competition (ThinkQuest is an annual international contest where students and teachers interact to produce web-based material on specific subjects) and provides a nice introduction to molecular and Mendelian genetic principles.

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