The HSC Biology Podcast

Long Reads Sunday: Impact of GE crops on Biodiversity

This week I read through an overview of research on GM crops on biodiversity by Janet E. Carpenter.Full article here: https://training.fws.gov/resources/course-resources/pesticides/GMOs/impacts_of_ge_crops.pdf

Module 6: Impact on Biodiversity and Social, Economic and Cultural Effects of Biotechnology

This episode covers the following:Evaluating the changes to the Earth’s biodiversity due to genetic techniques.
Evaluate the effect on biodiversity of using biotechnology in agriculture.
Interpret a range of secondary sources to assess the influence of social, economic and cultural contexts on a range of biotechnologies.Thanks to STEM Reactor for sponsoring this podcast. They provide everything you need to do biotechnology at school, check them out at www.stemreactor.com.au

Long Reads Sunday: Ethics and Genetic Engineering

This weeks article is about the current state of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and the social and ethical concerns that are being raised. Link to original article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7129066/ 

Module 6: Genetic Technologies

Investigate the uses and advantages of current genetic technologies that induce genetic change
Compare the processes and outcomes of reproductive technologies, including but not limited to:
- artificial insemination
- artificial pollination
Investigate and assess the effectiveness of cloning, including but not limited to:
-       whole organism cloning
-       gene cloning
Describe techniques and applications used in recombinant DNA technology, for example:
- the development of transgenic organisms in agricultural and medical applications(ACSBL087)Thanks to STEM Reactor for sponsoring this podcast. They provide everything you need to do biotechnology at school, check them out at www.stemreactor.com.au
 

Long Reads Sunday: Gene Drives

This episode goes through 'Gene Drives'. This is biotechnology designed to ensure favourable traits pass through a population. Article is taken from: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210306113147.htm

Module 6: Professor Marcel Dinger - Coding and Non-coding DNA

Key Point'Assess the significance of ‘coding’ and ‘non-coding’ DNA segments in the process of mutation.'Thanks to STEM Reactor for sponsoring this podcast. They provide everything you need to do biotechnology at school, check them out at www.stemreactor.com.au

Long Reads Sunday: CRISPR Base Editing Tools

This article is about the use of a second-generation CRISPR tool called 'gene editors' in order to make changes to single bases in the DNA to cure a condition called progeria. 

Module 6: Biotechnology Past Present and Future

Investigate the uses and applications of biotechnology (past, present and future), including:(ACSBL087)
-   analysing the social implications and ethical uses of biotechnology, including plant and animal examples
-   researching future directions of the use of biotechnology
-   evaluating the potential benefits for society of research using genetic technologiesThanks to STEM Reactor for sponsoring this podcast. They provide everything you need to do biotechnology at school, check them out at www.stemreactor.com.au

Long Reads Sunday: How The Placenta Evolved From An Ancient Virus

In this episode, I read through an article by Avir Mitra, on the role of viral proteins in the development of the placenta. https://whyy.org/segments/the-placenta-went-viral-and-protomammals-were-born/Journal Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6177113/ 

Module 6: Impact of Mutation, Gene Flow and Genetic Drift on Populations

Evaluate the effect of mutation, gene flow and genetic drift on the gene pool of populations.Thanks to STEM Reactor for sponsoring this podcast. They provide everything you need to do biotechnology at school, check them out at www.stemreactor.com.au