Introducing high school students to the Gene Ontology classification system

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Systems Biology
• Bioinformatics

Background:

• The Gene Ontology (GO) is a crucial classification system for annotating genes with functions and biological roles.
• GO aids in understanding gene function, pathways, and their association with tissues or diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a tutorial for high school students on using the Gene Ontology classification system.
• To familiarize students with gene set analysis using the DAVID (Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery) tool.

Main Methods:

• Students analyze gene sets using DAVID, which integrates the Gene Ontology system.
• The tutorial focuses on practical application in categorizing gene expression data for behavioral neuroscience.

Main Results:

• Students gain practical experience with gene set analysis and database structures.
• Participants acquire relevant vocabulary and an understanding of available gene analysis tools.

Conclusions:

• Learning the Gene Ontology System and using DAVID tools intellectually benefits students.
• The tutorial enhances students' preparedness for future database use and is perceived as enjoyable.