Web links and resources

Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics www.acpfg.com.au

This website contains information on the research programs and activities undertaken at the ACPFG.   Find out more about the media activities, scholarship opportunities and research into the development of wheat and barley with improved tolerance to drought, salinity and frost.

Molecular Plant Breeding CRC www.molecularplantbreeding.com

Office of the Gene Technology Regulator http://www.ogtr.gov.au/

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has been established within the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing to provide administrative support to the Gene Technology Regulator in the performance of her functions under the Gene Technology Act 2000. The objective of the Gene Technology Act 2000 "is to protect the health and safety of people, and the environment, by identifying risks posed by or as a result of gene technology, and by managing those risks through regulating certain dealings with genetically modified organisms (GMOs)".

Food Standards Australia New Zealand http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) ensures the safety of all consumable foods, including imports, by developing effective food standards for Australia and New Zealand. This website provides information and fact sheets on topics including genetically modified foods.

Agrifood Awareness http://www.afaa.com.au/

As well as a number of links to Agricultural Biotechnology resources, this website also has an up to date news summary which can be useful for classroom activities such as discussions and debates.

Biotechnology Australia http://www.biotechnology.gov.au/

Biotechnology Australia are funded by the Commonwealth Government to provide information on biotechnology and have fact sheets and other educational materials listed on their websites. They also have a link to the “Biotechnology Online” resource for secondary schools.

DNA interactive http://www.dnai.org/index.html

This very comprehensive website contains everything from the history of genetics through to some great 3D animations of techniques such as PCR and restriction digests. It includes lots of interviews with important scientists and links to other resources developed by the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. A recent addition is the MyDNAi area where teachers can construct their own on-line lessons.

Gene and Nano Technology Information Service http://www.gtis.edu.au

The Gene and Nano Technology Information Service (GNTIS) is funded by the Australian Government to provide a free information service and an outreach program to help raise awareness about biotechnology and the associated issues.

Genetic Science Learning Centre http://gslc.genetics.utah.edu/

Although this website does focus on medical applications of biotechnology, it does have some great resources including an animation of gel electrophoresis. Within the “DO try this at home” section is a very simple DNA extraction that you can do with household chemicals.

Science Teachers' Assistance Program http://www.latrobe.edu.au/scitecheng/stap/index.php

The Science Teachers' Assistance Program (STAP) is provided by La Trobe University to assist teachers by providing a range of activities for students and teachers within select areas of Science, Technology and Engineering.