HudsonAlpha Alabama Policymakers 2021

APPLICATIONS

Infectious Disease

The impact of infectious disease is a major healthcare
challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic confirmed long-held
concerns about the impact of a harmful virus spreading
unchecked across the globe. Antibiotic resistant strains of
pneumonia and staph infections are surfacing in hospitals,
nursing homes and locker rooms. In both cases, the infec-
tious agents evolve with speed, evading treatment methods.

Infectious disease can be classified into two categories: bac- Other viruses (e.g. the herpes simplex virus 1 that leads to
terial or viral. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that live cold sores) cause a delayed infection with symptoms appear-
in nearly every environment on the planet, including in and ing weeks, months or even years after exposure. Delayed
on the human body. Most bacteria associated with humans infection viruses hide their genetic material in the cell until
are beneficial and help with daily functions like digestion and conditions are optimal for the virus to reproduce itself. Unlike
protection. Other versions (strains) of bacteria are pathogen- bacteria, viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics,
ic, meaning they can cause illness or harm. If pathogenic although antiviral medications, such as Remdesivir or Tami-
bacteria enter the body, they may temporarily escape the flu®, may be helpful. Vaccines can provide protection against
body’s immune system. Once recognized, the body’s im- viral infection, although they take time to develop and test.
mune response attacks invading bacterial cells. Most healthy
individuals will be able to fight off a bacterial infection, often Viruses reproduce very quickly once activated and — like
with the help of an antibiotic. Antibiotics weaken the bacteria bacteria — randomly change their genetic material, often
by interfering with its ability to carry out functions like protein leading to new strains. In addition, if two virus-
synthesis and cell division. es simultaneously infect the same organ-
ism, their genetic information may mix,
In recent years there has been an increase in bacteria that creating a completely new strain. The
are resistant to the effects of antibiotics, such as the antibi- 2009 H1N1 influenza virus contained
otic-resistant form of Staphylococcus aureus, better known genetic material from pig- bird- and
as MRSA. Misuse and overdoses of antibiotics and other human-based flu viruses.
antimicrobials is a pressing public health problem. Bacteria
reproduce quickly, copying their DNA before each cell Understanding the genetic and
division. In some cases, the copying process molecular basis of these organ-
introduces small DNA changes. By chance, isms allows scientists to develop
these changes may make the bacteria better diagnostic tests, treatments
more resistant to a particular antibiotic. and preventatives. Scientists may
If these bacteria spread to other indi- never be able to cure the flu or com-
viduals, then a strain with antibiotic mon cold, but through genetics and
resistance has formed. As addition- biotechnology, more accurate and faster
al changes occur, the bacteria may diagnostics can be made.
become resistant to a wide range
of antibiotics, making them difficult HudsonAlpha researchers and resident companies have rapidly
to treat. developed diagnostics to combat the COVID-19 global pandemic.
hudsonalpha.org/hudsonalpha-COVID-19/
In contrast to bacteria, viruses are
small packages of genetic material
that infect and take over a cell, con-
verting it to a virus-producing factory. The
takeover may occur immediately after the
individual is exposed, as happens with the flu or
COVID-19, leading quickly to symptoms.

49

APPLICATIONS
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Prenatal diagnosis involves the use of tests during pregnancy
to determine whether a fetus is affected with a particular dis-
order. These tests have been a part of prenatal medicine for
over 30 years. Testing methods vary in both their invasiveness
and the degree of accuracy. Generally, a set of non-invasive
screening methods — such as maternal serum analysis or
ultrasound — are initially performed. Suspicious results are
followed up with more invasive diagnostic testing, e.g. am-
niocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS). These invasive
approaches obtain amniotic fluid and/or fetal cells that are
then biochemically or genetically analyzed. Genetic tests may
be genome wide – such as karyotyping or array comparative
genome hybridization – or more narrow in scope, such as
testing a single gene. Both amniocentesis and CVS carry a
small but significant risk of miscarriage.

Scientists have recently developed a novel, non-invasive Whether this will ultimately replace CVS and amniocentesis
testing method. In the 1990s, it was discovered that fetal DNA as a diagnostic test will depend upon improvements in the
crosses the placenta into the maternal bloodstream. Today, sensitivity and specificity of the testing. However a number
relatively straightforward techniques can isolate and analyze of significant ethical issues are associated with safer, earlier
this DNA, beginning as early as seven weeks gestation. This prenatal diagnosis. For example, by offering early non-in-
test can be performed several weeks earlier than convention- vasive diagnosis, will there be increased social pressure to
al techniques and carries no risk to the health of the fetus. have the test and terminate a pregnancy in which the fetus is
As a result, a larger number of pregnant women may chose believed not to be viable or to have severe genetic disease?
to undergo prenatal testing. In 2012, three companies intro- What or who decides the definition of “abnormal”? As the
duced this form of non-invasive prenatal testing into genetic components of many disorders become better under-
the clinic. stood, would non-invasive diagnostic testing allow parents –
with only a blood test – to identify mild, adult-onset disorders
Non-invasive prenatal testing is currently classified
as a screening, rather than a diagnostic test. It as well as non-medical traits such as eye color?
signals whether further, often more invasive
forms of testing should be considered.

50

APPLICATIONS

Personal Genome Analysis

As sequencing costs drop, it has become feasible to ana-
lyze large portions of a human genome relatively quickly
and comparatively inexpensively. This has most often been
performed in either a research setting to better understand
the functional impact of genetic variation or in the clinic to
identify the molecular cause of a suspected genetic disease.
However, there is a growing market for providing genomic
information to what are sometimes termed “ostensibly
healthy participants” — individuals without visible disease or
health complications but who want to know their genomic
information and understand how it informs their ancestry,
personal traits and potential future risks for developing
certain diseases.

An initial step towards personal genome analysis has been A number of research projects have been initiated to inform
direct to consumer genotyping – a targeted analysis of our understanding of these impacts, collectively involv-
between 500,000 and 1,000,000 variable regions from across ing more than 1,000 individuals. Common motivations for
the genome. A small but increasing proportion of these participating in PPGS initiatives include the desire to learn
variants is connected to ancestry, physical traits or disease health-related information, a sense of general curiosity
risk, although the predictive value of medical decisions of
these risks is often unclear. The FDA ordered the health-re- about personal genomic information and the desire to
lated versions of these tests halted in 2013, although it has contribute to research that may benefit others.
recently allowed a limited number of direct to consumer In keeping with the early adopter status of
genetic tests back onto the market. Consumer genotyping is these studies, current participants tend
also available for individual genes such as the ACTN3 genetic to be highly educated, technically savvy
variant involved in muscle strength and spring ability. These and from a high socio-economic sta-
genetic differences are poor predictors of athletic skill as tus. There have been few published
well as musical or artistic talent and overall intelligence, as studies of the impact of PPGS on
most of the genetic and environmental influences on the participants and the short and
these traits are still unknown. long-term benefits and concerns
are primarily speculative. A long-
Today, predispositional (or presymptom- term analysis of this sort of infor-
atic) genomic screening – PPGS – ana- mation is being conducted by the
lyzing the exome or entire genome of PeopleSeq Consortium, a collabora-
an ostensibly healthy individual – is tion between multiple PPGS projects
controversial. There is little data using a common set of questions
about the response of people who and techniques.
have received genomic information
about their trait and disease risk The Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine, LLC
factors. At the same time, there is provides personal genome analysis.
a powerful and growing recognition www.smithfamilyclinic.org
among personal genomic stakehold-
ers that such information may provide
a positive benefit on an individual’s life
and actions, even if the direct health benefit
is uncertain or marginal.

51

APPLICATIONS
Pharmacogenomics

Pharmacogenomics uses information about a person’s the individual cell growth pathways activated by the genetic
genetic makeup to predict their response to certain drugs. mutations. Generally a patient’s cancer tissue is tested to
In part, genetic variation explains why one drug may work determine whether an appropriate target is present. For
spectacularly in one person, not at all for another and example, a drug designed to silence EGFR mutations will
produce harmful side effects in a third. For example, not benefit cancer cells lacking that mutation - the med-
variation in the CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes impact whether ication would have nothing to target. In a similar manner,
someone is likely to develop a dangerous reaction to warfarin Herceptin®, Gleevac® and Erbitux® may be respectively
(brand name Coumadin® and Jantoven®), a blood-thinning prescribed for specific forms of breast cancer, chronic my-
medication often prescribed for people at risk for blood clots eloid leukemia and colorectal cancer. The FDA has approved
or heart attacks. A genetic test identifying susceptibility to targeted therapies for nearly three dozen different catego-
that reaction helps doctors adjust warfarin doses based on ries of cancer. The National Cancer Institute maintains an
each patient’s genetic profile. Similar studies are analyzing updated list of targeted therapies at https://www.cancer.gov/
genetic changes that reduce the effectiveness of clopidogrel about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies/targeted-
bisulfate (brand name Plavix®) a medication that prevents therapies-fact-sheet.
blood clots.
The FDA lists more than 200 medications with
Pharmacogenomics may also help find the best medication pharmacogenomic information found in the
to treat mental health disorders like depression. It can take drug labeling. Pharmacogenomic infor-
time to find the most effective medication and many patients mation is also being used to develop
spend months unsuccessfully trying one therapy after anoth- new drugs, identifying people who
er. Research suggests the CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genes are would benefit from the therapy as
responsible for the altered response. These genes direct the well as those at risk of serious side
production of liver enzymes that chemically change drugs - effects. https://www.fda.gov/
activating some and breaking down others. There are dozens medical-devices/precision-
of genetic versions of these genes, each impacting how our medicine/table-pharmacogenetic-
bodies process medication. Genetic testing may help phy- associations
sicians and their patients select the right medication more
quickly. However, it has proven challenging to incorporate
pharmacogenetic tests into psychiatry. The clinical evi-
dence is still being gathered and there are a lack
of guidelines around implementation.

Pharmacogenomics has most rapidly
progressed in the treatment of cancer.
There are more than two dozen FDA
approved anti-tumor medications to
treat non-small-cell lung cancers
containing mutations in EGFR,
ALK, ROS-1, NTRK, MET, RET and
BRAF genes. Different drugs target

The HudsonAlpha Health Alliance, LLC delivers pharmacogenomics
information programs to medical providers and their patients, employers
and population health groups to improve health ouutcomes while
lowering healthcare costs. www.hahealthalliance.org

52

APPLICATIONS

Precision Medicine
and Precision Health

At its core, precision medicine uses information about a
person’s genetic background to tailor strategies for the
detection, treatment or prevention of disease. It seeks to
understand how changes in our genes, together with our
environment, influence health. This may include genetic
screening tests to identify disease risk or pinpoint existing
conditions. It may also be used to guide pharmaceutical
choices, highlighting the brand and dose of medication best
suited for a patient. The goal of precision medicine is to help
physicians and their patients identify the best course of
action to prevent or manage a disease based upon the
patient’s genetic and environmental profile.

Drawing an analogy from the world of fashion, precision Precision medicine, sometimes also called personalized
medicine is the equivalent of a custom-made suit or outfit, medicine, is part of the broader heading of precision health.
designed with an individual’s unique body measurements. In addition to tests coordinated in a doctor’s office or hospital,
This type of tailored approach provides a much better fit precision health includes disease prevention and health pro-
than purchasing something off the rack. As has already motion activities. They include collecting your family health
been noted in this guide, people vary from one another in history and tracking health information on your phone or oth-
many ways – what they eat, their lifestyle, the environmental er smart device. They focus on using the best available data
factors to which they are exposed and variations in their DNA. to provide the right intervention to a community or population
Some portion of this genetic variation influences our risk of to improve their overall health.
getting or avoiding specific diseases. Certain changes in the
DNA code influence the course of disease, impacting the age More research is needed to fulfill the promise of precision
of onset for symptoms or the speed of progression. Genetic medicine and precision health. It’s especially important to
variation also contributes to differences in how drugs are ensure a diverse population of participants, so the results
absorbed and used by the body (page 52). benefit everyone. In the United States, the All of Us research

This newfound knowledge is rapidly moving into program plans to enroll 1 million or more Americans
the clinical setting. At the forefront are a and follow them over several years. Partic-
series of targeted therapies — medica- ipants will provide health and lifestyle
tions such as Gleevec®, Herceptin® and information as well as blood or urine
Iressa® known to be most effective in samples. Scientists will explore how
people with a specific genetic profile genetic, environmental and behav-
(set of genetic variants). Targeted ioral factors impact health, disease
therapies are particularly effective and interventions for treatment
in treating cancer, although they and prevention.
are also beginning to be used in
other fields. Straightforward genetic
tests are performed to identify who
will benefit from these medications.

53

APPLICATIONS HudsonAlpha Educational Outreach contributes to public health
Public Health Genomics efforts in multiple ways. www.shareable-science.org

Public health safeguards the well-being of individuals by Over the last two decades, scientific advances have increased
focusing on the health of a community using population-wide the application of genomic information to human health.
approaches like ensuring safe drinking water, wearing This has given birth to the field of public health genomics as
sunscreen or participating in an annual cancer screening a way to integrate genomic knowledge into personalized
program. Each implements a practice or behavior to prevent medicine and public health. For example, categorizing disease
poor health. Additionally, public health agencies investigate risk based on genetic and environmental factors is a more
health challenges in a community, educate citizens about effective classification than the traditional groupings of
health-related issues, develop policies to support healthy gender, age and ethnicity and can lead to targeted, more
communities and ensure equitable access to personal and effective interventions to increase health.
population-based health services.

Public health advocates outline ten essential services for their field, listed below.
They are accompanied by examples of how genomics can be incorporated into public health practice.

Essential public health services Public health genomics activities

1 Monitor health status to identify and • Assess distribution and impact of modifiable and genetic risk factors; determine their
contribution to health and disease
solve community problems
• Promote development of resources to monitor genomic-related health status of populations
2 Diagnose and investigate health
• Identify and track infectious disease outbreaks using genomic technology
problems/hazards in the community • Assist with redesign of diagnostic and laboratory services to incorporate

3 Inform, educate and empower people new genome-based technologies

about health issues • Improve the genomic literacy of the public
• Empower stakeholders to make informed decisions about uses of genetic information
• Facilitate integration of genomics into health promotion and disease prevention programs

4 Mobilize community partnerships to • Foster collaboration between stakeholders

identify and solve health problems

5 Develop policies/plans to support • Plans related to the appropriate use of genomic applications, equity and access, the
use of family health history information and reproductive decision-making
individual and community health efforts

6 Enforce laws and regulations that protect • Contribute to laws and regulations for genomic applications and laboratories using
genome-based technologies
health and ensure safety

7 Link people to health services and • Support appropriate integration of genomic knowledge and technologies into all aspects
of healthcare and public health
assure provision

8 Assure a competent public and personal • Contribute to training and education in and development of genomic knowledge, skills and
capacity for health professionals
healthcare workforce
• Support the development of workforce capacity in genomics-related fields

9 Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility and • Evaluate new genome-based knowledge and technologies to determine their evidence
base, quality, appropriateness and readiness for implementation
quality of health services
• Evaluate the use of genome-based knowledge and technologies in healthcare and public
health practice

10 Research for new insights and • Monitor the results of human genome epidemiology studies
• Support the development of infrastructure for conducting genomic-related population research
innovative solutions to health problems • Conduct and monitor translation research to move technologies from the discovery phase to application

Reference: Molster CM et al. The Evolution of Public Health Genomics: Exploring Its Past, Present and Future. Frontiers in Public Health (2018) 6:247 doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00247.

54

APPLICATIONS

Recombinant DNA and
Genetic Engineering

For centuries, humans have used selective breeding The organism must be tested to make sure the gene is
techniques to modify the characteristics of both plants and functioning correctly and the organism is exhibiting the
animals. Typically, organisms with desired traits like a high desired trait. Multiple generations are grown and tested
grain count, specific petal color or fragrance, consistent before the crop, therapeutic drug or sensor is made
milk production or ability to herd livestock have been chosen commercially available.
to pass those traits to the next generation. These breeding
practices, while very successful, require a large number Since the first recombinant DNA molecule was
of generations to yield the desired results. In addition, only created in 1973, the technology has been used
traits that are naturally expressed in a species can be select- across a wide variety of fields:
ed. For example, traditional breeding methods do not allow
characteristics to be transferred from a plant to an animal. • amending crops such as corn or soybean, adding pest
or herbicide resistance, or increasing nutrient content
Research during the last 100 years has identified the rela- (see Agricultural Applications, page 38)
tionship that exists between physically observed traits and
the genetic information that codes for those traits. This • modifying bacteria by adding genes that produce
understanding has been coupled with modern molecular enzymes used in industry (Chymosin — used for
laboratory techniques to transfer certain traits expressed making cheese)
in one species into a different (and maybe very distant)
species. Scientists can modify the DNA of bacteria, plants • producing therapeutic products such as human insulin
and animals to add genetic information (and the associated (Humulin®), blood clotting factors (rFVII) and compo-
characteristics) from a different organism. This process has nents of the immune system (Enbrel®)
historically been called genetic engineering but more
recently is referred to as recombinant DNA technology or • developing biosensors to identify toxins in the water,
genetic modification. soil or air

To make a recombinant organism, the gene of interest must Recombinant DNA forms the core of many key biotechnology
first be isolated from the initial donor organism. To isolate applications and continues to result in new approaches that
the gene, scientists use restriction enzymes, proteins impact agriculture, healthcare and the environment.
that can be thought of as molecular scissors
that cut DNA at specific nucleotide The technology is also at the core of gene therapy
sequences. The restriction enzymes cut (page 47), a series of techniques aimed at
the DNA on either side of the gene of introducing the correct version of a gene
interest. The DNA fragment contain- into the cells of a patient.
ing the gene is then ligated (fused)
into a different piece of DNA called The development of gene editing
a vector. The vector serves as tools (page 46), streamlines the
a mechanism to carry the gene process of genetic modification and
of interest into the host. It often minimizes many of its challenges.
includes additional genetic informa- Gene editing will likely become
tion such as selectable markers and the standard approach for
genetic signals that control when and genetic engineering.
where it will be expressed. The vector
is then introduced into a single host cell.
From this cell, an entire organism, plant or
animal is grown.

55

APPLICATIONS

Stem Cells

Stem cells can be thought of as master cells, the raw materi-
als from which a complete individual is crafted. The power of
a stem cell lies in its pluriopotency — the ability to divide and
develop (differentiate) into any one of the 220 various types
of cells found in the body. As cells differentiate, they lose this
ability: a liver cell, for example, can only renew itself to form
more liver cells — it cannot become a lung or brain cell.

Because of this pluripotency, stem cells have great medical Recent genetic discoveries have identified key genes that are
potential. They could be used to recreate insulin-producing active only in ES cells. Working in the laboratory, scientists
cells in the pancreas to treat Type I diabetes, to repopulate have used this information to modify differentiated cells to
neurons destroyed due to Parkinson disease or to replace reactivate these genes, in effect regressing the cells into
cells lost in spinal cord injuries. In the laboratory, stem cells pluripotent stem cells. These cells are known as induced
have been used to successfully treat animals affected with pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and early research suggests
paralysis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson disease and sickle they behave in much the same way as ES cells. Because iPS
cell anemia. cells could be created by reprogramming a patient’s own
tissues, they lack the ethical concerns posed by ES cells.
Multiple types of stem cells have been identified or devel- In addition, because they are a genetic match, therapies
oped. Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) were the first category using iPS cells would not be rejected by the patient’s immune
discovered. These cells are fully pluripotent, but only found system. While there are a number of technical hurdles that
in young embryos (the stage of human development from must be overcome before iPS cells are ready for clinical
conception to eight weeks gestation). Because the process applications, several companies are beginning to explore
to collect ES cells destroys the embryo, some groups are treatment possibilities.
opposed to their use.

In the tissues of many developed organs, scientists have
identified so-called adult stem cells that retain a portion of
the ability to differentiate into other cell types. The primary
role of adult stem cells is to maintain and repair the
tissue in which it is found. For example, bone
marrow contains adult stem cells, which
can give rise to all the types of blood
cells. This is why a bone marrow
transplant can repopulate the blood
and immune cells in a patient. It ap-
pears that adult stem cells may not
have the full range of pluripotency
found in ES cells, although re-
searchers are exploring techniques
to use adult stem cells for certain
forms of therapy.

56

APPLICATIONS

Synthetic Biology

Synthetic biology seeks to apply engineering principles to
biology. It has an ultimate goal of designing and building
biological systems for specified tasks (e.g. drug development,
material fabrication and energy production). The field is a
collaborative effort between not only engineers and biolo-
gists, but also chemists and physicists.

Synthetic biology aims to use engineering methods to build Many supporters believe that synthetic biology has the poten-
novel and artificial biological tools. This is done using an es- tial to achieve equally important results such as producing
tablished engineering approach — defining the specification inexpensive new drugs, developing environmental biosensors
for a device or system and then using a set of standard and more efficiently producing biofuels from biomass.
parts to create a model that meets that specification.
The basic building block is a biopart — a fragment of DNA Given that synthetic biology involves creating novel living
with a specific function such as producing a protein or organisms, it isn’t surprising that security, safety and
activating a “start/stop” switch. Bioparts are combined into ethical concerns have been raised. Like many other “dual
devices that carry out a desired activity, like producing fluo- use technologies,” synthetic biology offers the potential for
rescent protein under a given condition. Multiple devices can great good, but also for harm. There are concerns that the
be connected into a system, which performs more complex, increasing accessibility of this technology may spawn a new
higher-level tasks. era of “biohackers” leading to the accidental or deliberate
creation of pathogenic biological components. Safety mea-
Powerful computers offer in-depth modeling and simulation sures taken by the research community include incorporating
to predict the behavior of the part, device or system before it genetic signals that prevent uncontrolled spreading outside
is assembled. The relevant DNA instructions are then artifi- the lab environment. It is worth noting that in many ways,
cially synthesized and inserted into a biological cell, such as
bacteria. The bacterial cell is the “chassis” or vehicle that in- these mechanisms are already in place as part of
terprets the DNA instructions. If the synthesized information the guidelines developed for recombinant
is read and processed correctly, then the specification and DNA techniques that are currently in use
design were appropriately crafted. If not, the original design worldwide. From this perspective, the
is modified, continuing the design-modeling-testing advances in synthetic biology may be
cycle. Once complete, the device or system be- viewed as a natural extension of this
comes a component created from standard research, rather than a great leap
bioparts, rather than constructed each into unchartered scientific territory.
time from scratch.

The rise of synthetic biology has
been compared to that of synthetic
chemistry, a field that developed
and matured during the past
century as chemists learned how
to synthesize compounds that
previously only existed in nature.
Early examples such as dyes and
medicines like aspirin gave way to the
creation of plastics, semiconductors
and complex pharmaceuticals.

57

Dr. Lamb’s blo

www.shareable-science.org

: Beyond the Blog

Dr. Neil Lamb presents Beyond the Blog,
a companion to Shareable Science, to
help make sense of the science related
to the coronavirus COVID-19.
This ongoing video series offers
easy-to-understand explanations of
the science behind the disease, how it
spreads and what scientists are doing
to help diagnose and treat the disease.
Also check pages 24–25 to learn more
about COVID-19 transmission, testing
and treatment.
View now at
www.hudsonalpha.org/beyond-the-blog
58

Professional Learning for
Life Science Educators

For High School Educators GTAC

Genetic Technologies for All Classrooms Advanced
Concepts
(GTAC) is an intensive professional learning
For Middle School Educators
experience offered at HudsonAlpha

Institute for Biotechnology that

prepares science educators to

GTACaddress high school-level
genetics, genomics and biotech
content. To learn more about Essential
Biology

the various GTAC offerings,

visit www.hudsonalpha.org/gtac.

LifeScience Links is a summer professional
learning experience that provides seventh-grade
life science teachers updated content knowledge,
engaging strategies and authentic lab experienc-
es. Educators leave the workshop equipped to link
Course of Study Standards to real-world biotech
applications and careers. Learn more at
www.hudsonalpha.org/lifesciencelinks.

HudsonAlpha realizes that COVID-19 has
shifted the landscape and changed the way teachers
interact with their students. HudsonAlpha Beacon is a
tool to help educators find life science content from a
distance. These virtual opportunities provide teachers
with a variety of genetics and biotechnology content,
along with technology integration and best practices for
virtual delivery. Experiences include unique webinars
along with multi-day online sessions that combine
synchronous and asynchronous learning.

www.hudsonalpha.org/beacon

59

Digital Applications

Why use flat images from a textbook when your
students can explore cell structure in 3D?

Explore representative plant, animal and bacteria
cells with vivid 3D models using HudsonAlpha iCell®.

iCell is available on Apple® and Android® devices, Windows 8® tablets, as a

downloadable program for Mac® and Windows® and at icell.hudsonalpha.org.

timelinechallenge.hudsonalpha.org Investigate key
advances in agriculture
and biotechnology to
solve a real-world
agricultural challenge.

This free digital
resource utilizes
the HudsonAlpha
Progress of Science
Biotechnology Timeline.

Want to enhance the way Made possible by: Grant Number 8R25 OD010981-02
your students learn about
the genetics of disease? ®

®

Work together on this interactive game Touching Triton engages students in a long-term
to ensure the health and safety of a deep space flight storyline while helping them build an
space crew while learning the complexity understanding of common complex disease risk.
of common disease.
triton.hudsonalpha.org

New Update!

The human genome meets a scavenger hunt. Create up
to 20 walkable paths that explore the human genome
with over 150 challenging questions, a leaderboard
and themed paths.

GenomeCache® is available on iPad®, iPhone®, through GooglePlay™ and at genomecache.hudsonalpha.org.

60



601 Genome Way
Huntsville, Alabama 35806

www.hudsonalpha.org

CONTACT
Carter Wells
Vice President for Economic Development
[email protected]
256.327.0400
62