Halo-Ed: Extreme Microbiology and Astrobiology
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Introduction	Teachers Microbes are frequently neglected in the classroom, even as their relevance to human health and society has become more and more clear. A particularly novel subject that is important to discuss in the classroom is the field of astrobiology, a new branch of science aimed at understanding the evolution of life on Earth and elsewhere in the universe. Although our knowledge of the field continues to expand at an exciting pace, new developments and innovations are rarely available for teaching in the classroom. Our goal is to bring the excitement of cutting-edge science to teachers and students everywhere through the use of a novel, accessible microbe. We have pioneered the use of the Archaeal microbe, Halobacterium NRC-1, a popular subject of research in many laboratories world-wide for use in the classroom. Six teaching modules (below) are available and described in The American Biology Teacher. For more information on how to get them for your classroom, see the Carolina Biological Supply website or contact the Halo-Ed team. Some great reasons to use the Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 in the classroom: The strain is a bonafide extremophile and model for astrobiology studies It grows in very salty media which prevents most contaminants from growing Special growth-chambers are not required and it can grow at room temperature Strictly sterile techniques are not needed It survives and can be stored in dry salt for long periods of time Materials needed are inexpensive, easily obtained, and non-toxic Cells are easily broken open and killed by tap-water Scheduling bi-weekly or weekly labs is simple (3-7 day culturing period) Genome sequence, physiology, and biochemistry are well-studied Many fascinating microbiology and astrobiology articles are available as resources Commercial teaching kits and manuals have been developed and are readily available For Questions and Suggestions, contact the Halo-Ed Team
MolGenT
Microbiology
DNA Extraction
Mutations
Life in Extremes
Antibiotics
Bioinformatics
Teachers
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