Genomics Digital Lab

• Title — Genomics Digital Lab • Developer — Spongelab Interactive • Publisher — Spongelab Interactive • Released — 2009 • Genre — Educational • Modes — Single player Online • Platforms — Windows, Mac OS X

The user takes on the mission to save a dying plant. This is first done in the introductory level, where the user must identify the correct light, gas, and liquid conditions to make a plant thrive and survive. In the intermediate level, the user enters each of the organelles (chloroplast, mitochondrion, and nucleus) where they must pass a variety of challenges. Each lesson has 3-4 levels, each starting with a tutorial, then getting progressively harder. In Lesson 2, the user is taken to the chloroplast where their goal is to make sugar using CO 2 and sunlight by playing the Light Reaction and Calvin Cycle games. In Lesson 3, the user is in the mitochondrion, where they have to convert the sugar into energy by playing the Glycolysis, Citric Acid Cycle, and Electron Transport Chain games. Finally, in Lesson 4, the user is in the nucleus, where they use the energy to build proteins by playing the Transcription and Translation games. Once a user completes all 8 games, they become a Master of the Cell. The Advanced Level consists of 5 text-based cases on real-world science topics. • Illustration — The light reaction game

In each game, points are awarded in the biological currency relevant to that game. Both the current score and the overall high score (in a number of sugars, ATP, or proteins) are recorded.

• Plant Anatomy Explorer - includes whole plant anatomy, leaf structure, leaf tissue structure, plant cells, and major cell organelles • Particle Map - a glossary of all the molecules, indexed by their organelle location with a brief description • Notepad - online notebook where students can record their observations • Available in English and French • Compatible with digital whiteboards

Genomics Digital Lab was designed to be easily used in the classroom and provides teachers with lesson plans, curriculum alignments, quizzes, worksheets. Teachers can also monitor their students’ progress online, in real-time.

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