Genetics and Evolution

  1. CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing
    • Explore the basics of the CRISPR-Cas9 system by designing a theoretical project to edit specific gene sequences in a model organism. Discuss its potential applications and ethical considerations.
  2. Phylogenetic Tree Construction
    • Use online databases to gather genetic information on several species and construct a phylogenetic tree. This project helps students understand evolutionary relationships and the concept of common ancestry.

Human Anatomy and Physiology

  1. Neuroplasticity Studies
    • Research and present findings on neuroplasticity, including how learning new skills or recovering from brain injuries can change the brain’s physical structure.
  2. Impact of Diet on Gut Microbiome
    • Design an experiment or conduct a survey to explore how different diets (vegan, vegetarian, omnivore) impact the human gut microbiome, discussing implications for health.

Ecology and Environmental Biology

  1. Biodiversity Survey in Local Ecosystems
    • Conduct a biodiversity survey in a local ecosystem, cataloging different species and assessing biodiversity levels. Discuss the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem health.
  2. Climate Change Effects on Local Species
    • Investigate how changing climate conditions affect local plant or animal species, focusing on phenology, distribution, or population dynamics.

Cellular Biology and Biochemistry

  1. Protein Folding Simulation
    • Use computer simulations to study protein folding, exploring how proteins achieve their three-dimensional structure and the implications of misfolding.
  2. Enzyme Inhibition Analysis
    • Experiment with different substances to observe their effects on enzyme activity, discussing types of inhibition and their applications in medicine.

Plant Biology

  1. Allelopathy in Plants
    • Investigate the effect of one plant species on the growth of another through chemical inhibition, demonstrating the concept of allelopathy and its ecological significance.
  2. Plant Hormones and Growth
    • Explore the role of different plant hormones (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins) on plant growth and development through experimental manipulation.

Microbiology

  1. Antibiotic Production by Soil Microorganisms
    • Isolate soil microorganisms and test their ability to produce antibiotics, exploring natural sources of antibiotics and their discovery process.
  2. Viral vs. Bacterial Infection
    • Design a project to educate on the differences between viral and bacterial infections, including treatment options and the role of vaccines in prevention.

Molecular Biology

  1. Recombinant DNA Technology
    • Create a theoretical project to produce a recombinant DNA molecule, incorporating a gene of interest into a bacterial plasmid. Discuss its applications in medicine and agriculture.
  2. RNA Interference (RNAi)
    • Investigate the mechanism of RNA interference and its potential applications in gene silencing and disease treatment.

Human Biology and Health

  1. The Biology of Aging
    • Research and present on the biological mechanisms of aging, including the role of telomeres, oxidative stress, and lifestyle factors.
  2. Mental Health and the Brain
    • Explore the biological basis of mental health disorders, focusing on the role of neurotransmitters, brain structure, and genetics.

Evolution

  1. Speciation Mechanisms
    • Design a project that illustrates different mechanisms of speciation and provides examples from the animal or plant kingdoms.
  2. Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
    • Investigate the evolution of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, discussing the mechanisms by which resistance develops and spreads.

Conservation Biology

  1. Conservation Strategies for Endangered Species
    • Research and propose conservation strategies for a specific endangered species, considering habitat preservation, captive breeding, and legal protection.
  2. Impact of Invasive Species
    • Study the impact of an invasive species in a local ecosystem, including its effect on native species and potential control measures.