Cancer and the Genome (2 Parts)

Synopsis

Two 15-minute programmes. The first looks at cancer and its causes and the second shows an A-level biology class demonstrating their knowledge of DNA and proteins.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2005

Year of production

2005

Documentation

The Teachers’ TV website gives links to related online resources and support materials

Uses

A-level biology students

Subjects

Biology; Medical sciences; FE

Keywords

cancer; cell biology; genetic engineering; melanoma

Online availability

URI

http://www.teachers.tv/subjectBlock.do?transmissionBlockId=205251&zoneId=2

Price

free

Delivery

Streamed/Download

Sections

Title

Cancer and the Genome: The Issue

Synopsis

The programme follows a young woman with melanoma, the third most common cancer in the 15 to 39 age group. Dr. Andy Futreal, co-founder of the Cancer Genome Project at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, explains that cancer occurs when cells start to behave in inappropriate ways. The route cause of all cancers is mutations in DNA, causing changes in cell behaviour. Researchers now know the underlying mechanism of melanoma in 70 per cent of cases and there is hope that a new drug will eventually be able to stop the cancer in its tracks.

Duration

15 mins

Title

Cancer and ther Genome: The Lesson

Synopsis

A science teacher gives an extended lesson on DNA and proteins, as well as cancer and its underlying causes before her pupils view "Cancer and The Genome". Pupils also perform a bacterial transformation experiment that involves putting a ‘glow’ gene from a jellyfish into a bacterium called E. Coli. The pupils demonstrate a good knowledge of DNA and make insightful comments about diseases like skin cancer. They also arrive at some thoughtful conclusions about the programme. To conclude, the teacher presents the results of her bacterial transformation experiment and is able to show her pupils how the bacteria now has an eerie green glow.

Duration

15 mins

Distributor

Name

Teachers’ TV

Email

info@teachers.tv

Web

http://www.teachers.tv/ External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7182 7430

Address

6-18 Berners Street
London
W1T 3LN

Notes

Funded by the Department for Education, Teachers’ TV was a producer and supplier of over 3,600 free videos and lesson resources to support the professional development of anyone working in school, enabling them to widen their skills, develop their practice, and connect with others in the field. Previously broadcast on digital television, the service became exclusively online from 31 August 2010, with programmes being available for free online viewing or download. Thge DfE terminated the contract with Teachers TV and delivery via the website ceased on 29 April 2011, with the programmes being offered to educational distributors free online delivery. Further details from the DfE website Until 29 April 2011 programmes from Teachers Television were streamed on the website and available for download to registered users (free registration). Programmes are aimed at primary and secondary school teachers in all subject areas, as well as headteachers and governors, and include observation of teaching sessions, materials for use in the classroom and discussion of issues relevant to education. Teachers TV was funded by the Department for Education but the contract ended in April 2011 and the programmes are being offered to educational distributors to deliver free at the point of use from their websites. Details of which titles are available in this way are on the DfE website http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/toolsandinitiatives/teacherstv