My young daughter is interested in molecular biochemistry

[Jumper]

Help.... I have a 12 yr old daughter who is interested in molecular biochemistry and is reading about crispr cas9 and asking me questions about it which I cannot answer. She really has a huge interest in this field but I cannot answer all of her questions. She went to her teacher to ask and he just got the deer in the headlight look. Is there any forums that can help her understand or have the answer to the questions she is asking??

[Mordred]

We do have a Chemistry forum here at Scienceforums. Lots of people with decent chemistry knowledge that should easily be able to help a 12 year old

[Sensei]

I know what present you can give her for Christmas:

Ball-n-stick model kit

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/molecular-model-kit

(the more elements, the better).

 

On Amazon there is DNA ball-n-stick model kit

https://www.google.pl/search?q=Molecular+Model+Kit+with+Molecule+Structure+Building+Software+-+Dalton+Labs+Organic+Chemistry+Set

 

You should also buy her entire lab equipment.

Here is list of what search for on the net:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laboratory_glassware

The all basic stuff you can get for around $500 (beakers, flasks, condensers various type, deflegmator,etc. etc)

Here is set for $150 f.e.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-40-New-Organic-Chemistry-Laboratory-Glassware-Kit-32-PCS-Lab-Chemilcal-Unit-/231064147113?hash=item35cc7f14a9%3Ag%3AZRcAAOSw37tV-jB2

(I don't see here lab stand, maybe just not on photos, or have to be bought (couple of them) separately)

Vacuum pump also for $500+.

 

Microscope 400+ (optical) zoom you have already?

Edited December 12, 2016 by Sensei

[StringJunky]

I know what present you can give her for Christmas:

Ball-n-stick model kit

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/molecular-model-kit

(the more elements, the better).

 

On Amazon there is DNA ball-n-stick model kit

https://www.google.pl/search?q=Molecular+Model+Kit+with+Molecule+Structure+Building+Software+-+Dalton+Labs+Organic+Chemistry+Set

 

You should also buy her entire lab equipment.

Here is list of what search for on the net:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laboratory_glassware

The all basic stuff you can get for around $500 (beakers, flasks, condensers various type, deflegmator,etc. etc)

Here is set for $150 f.e.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-40-New-Organic-Chemistry-Laboratory-Glassware-Kit-32-PCS-Lab-Chemilcal-Unit-/231064147113?hash=item35cc7f14a9%3Ag%3AZRcAAOSw37tV-jB2

(I don't see here lab stand, maybe just not on photos, or have to be bought (couple of them) separately)

Vacuum pump also for $500+.

 

Microscope 400+ (optical) zoom you have already?

Let me just call my bank manager...

[proximity1]

I have two recommendations for both you and your daughter --as her interests in biochemistry/molecular biology is an invitation to an adventure in learning which you can share as you both learn.

 

First, this site, http://www.scienceoveracuppa.com

 

It's the work of Dr. Emily Casanova, a gifted researcher and writer who has a knack for explaining science to non-specialists.

 

See also: https://scienceoveracuppa.com/about/

 

and,

 

Second, this book--in its English-language translation -- The Origin of Individuals, 2009, World Scientific Publishers, Singapore

by Jean-Jacques KUPIEC

 

 

Title page, Foreword, and contents pages from The Origin of Individuals, 2009, World Scientific Publishers, Singapore.

 

I read the work (in the original French edition*) and at the time I had no previous specialist knowledge of genetics or microbiology and was able to follow the author's exposition with no trouble at all. At times I had to look up certain technical terms of microbiology in French but this posed no obstacle to a text which I found so fascintating that I wrote at the time and still believe today that the book is second only to Darwin's Origin of Species in its scientific importance, It's easily one of the most interesting and world-view-changing books I've ever read.

 

 

You can read about the book's author and his research work at this thread:

On Ontophylogenesis or "Cellular Darwinism"

 

http://www.scienceforums.net/topic/68764-on-ontophylogenesis-or-cellular-darwinism/?hl=ontophylogenesis

 

Have fun and good luck to you both.

 

P.

 

___________

 

* Editions Fayard, Paris : http://www.fayard.fr/lorigine-des-individus-9782213629247

Edited December 12, 2016 by proximity1

[CharonY]

Eh not much of the large stuff is used in biochem. It is all very small volume (usually). A book should be best. I'd have to take a look and ask around whether there is something good around. Problem is that the cutting edge stuff needs some basics to be understood. And then it might get boring. If not, congrats/condolences, you may have an academic.

[Jumper]

Thanks for the replies. It's going to be an expensive Christmas between the lab setup the books and materials along with the makeup and designer clothes. Let's just hope next year she doesn't ask for a spectrometer.

[Phi for All]

Problem is that the cutting edge stuff needs some basics to be understood. And then it might get boring. If not, congrats/condolences, you may have an academic.

 

My solution was to find somebody local who had the qualifications my 12yo daughter was interested in. It didn't work out exactly as I thought I hoped, but I do think it was successful. This professional's mentoring insights led her to change her focus slightly, and I think she's happier with her choice.

[Jumper]

I have been researching my area for societies that I can maybe find a contact but working 4000k away from home makes it difficult. In the meantime one of my friends has a daughter who is in an academic secondary school that just started studying crispr so hopefully she can mentor her. As far as her teachers go in her school, you would be better off asking a cashier at a grocery store.

[Phi for All]

Have you contacted universities?

 

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2015/08/10/new-gene-editing-technology-being-researched-at-university-of-alberta

 

Don't forget businesses in your area.

 

http://www.pbr.ca/index.asp

[Jumper]

No I haven't . It was only a week ago that she said about getting into forensic science so she could work with dna. But when I told her it's mainly just cataloging stuff she wasn't that interested. So I told her about crispr and microbiology and then she just went to town researching it and has already done a little presentation on a Bristol board showing me what she has so far understood about the whole process. Complete with illustrations and the mechanics of everything. This is where it's time for daddy to smarten up and do some research of his own. Can't have her surpassing me or I'm in trouble. LoL

[StringJunky]

Can't have her surpassing me or I'm in trouble. LoL

Why not? If she sees further It is because she has stood on your shoulders.

Edited December 12, 2016 by StringJunky

[Genecks]

Is there an age limit here on SFN? Otherwise, my ... lol ... quick answer is to tell your daughter to sign up for an account here.

 

I could rattle on for a long time about a lot of stuff. No real need to purchase stuff. The theoretical foundations need to be setup first. If you don't really understand what a cell is, how proteins are made, or the (i assume it's still so) dogmatic view of how structure and function of biological entities relate, then you're kind of just memorizing stuff. Your daughter seems to be interested in structure/function, which is excellent for her age.

 

Another thought is to throw her at Wikipedia and tell her to keep clicking links. That's pretty affordable.

 

Right now, it appears she's interested in the immune system of prokaryotes ("germs"). She probably wants to find an efficient way to kill germs. lol.

Edited December 13, 2016 by Genecks

[Jumper]

Not sure but she probably would sign up if she could.