Science and Nature

The Gene

Ken Burns' “The Gene: An Intimate History” brings vividly to life the story of today’s revolution in medical science through present-day tales of patients and doctors at the forefront of the search for genetic treatments, interwoven with a compelling history of the discoveries that made this possible and the ethical challenges raised by the ability to edit DNA with precision.

The Gene Explained | Is That a Banana in Your Genes?

3m 21s

It’s true that the banana and the slug are our genetic relatives, and so is everything else. But what does that mean? Which parts of our genes are related and just how much overall do we have in common with a banana and as science advances, how will that affect future fruit baskets?

Episodes

  • The Gene Explained | Is That a Banana in Your Genes?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Is That a Banana in Your Genes?

    3m 21s

    It’s true that the banana and the slug are our genetic relatives, and so is everything else. But what does that mean? Which parts of our genes are related and just how much overall do we have in common with a banana and as science advances, how will that affect future fruit baskets?

  • The Gene Explained | The Gene That Transformed: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | The Gene That Transformed

    3m 9s

    What terrifying things go on in a chrysalis, and what dark role do genes play? In this episode, learn how a hormone wakes up a gene that triggers the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly -- from forming a chrysalis to liquefying the caterpillar to fuel the imaginal discs that form a butterfly.

  • The Gene Explained | Invasion of the Gene Snatchers: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Invasion of the Gene Snatchers

    3m 1s

    How do viruses work? Sort of like aliens that invade cells and take them over. They do that enough times, and you’ve got a big ol’ problem on your hands. In this episode, learn how a virus invades and what it does to not only kill a cell but create a sort of infectious bomb that contaminates other cells.

  • The Gene Explained | Gene Damage: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Gene Damage

    3m 25s

    What goes on in our DNA to make us grow grey hair, wrinkles and less than healthy DNA? In this episode, meet the workforce of proteins and enzymes in control of cell division and gene copying, and learn how damage can happen during cell-duplication, exposure to radiation or chemicals, other environmental variables like stress, diet, and even aging.

  • The Gene Explained | A Big Wooly Gene: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | A Big Wooly Gene

    3m

    In the format of a cooking show, this episode delves into the difficulties of resurrecting extinct animals from remnant DNA. While the science fiction is famous, the reality is more complex and maybe impossible, but the science behind why it will likely stay science fiction is revealing.

  • The Gene Explained | Gene Whiz! It's a Boy!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Gene Whiz! It's a Boy!

    2m 49s

    If you're curious about the origin of boys, look no further than the Y chromosome and how it contributes not only to making a boy in utero but regulates brain functions and heart health for that boy's whole life.

  • The Gene Explained | What the Gene Is That?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | What the Gene Is That?

    3m 6s

    DNA spells the instructions for every living thing we know about with just four letters. In this episode, we'll see how scientists are expanding the DNA alphabet that could show us what to look for in the search for E.T.

  • The Gene Explained | Super Gene: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Super Gene

    2m 58s

    Computer code is finicky. If one line, or if one character is off, then the whole program can go sideways. Genetic code isn't much different. In this episode, we see what happens if code gets deleted, put in the wrong place, or switched with other code.

  • The Gene Explained | Gene Strike!: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Gene Strike!

    2m 24s

    In this episode, we take you into the war room during the heat of battle with cancer to see what options we have in our arsenal and how they work.

  • The Gene Explained | Gene Filled Donuts: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Gene Filled Donuts

    2m 14s

    We know that genes are the instructions that make us who we are, but how do genes do that? This episode gives a quick glance into how those mysterious instructions buried in a gene become the actual nose on a face.

  • The Gene Explained | Good Genes Gone Bad: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Gene Explained | Good Genes Gone Bad

    2m 58s

    In this episode, we visit Liver Town to see how a few over-active cells can ruin a perfectly good neighborhood. We look at the causes for this disease, commonly known as cancer, and mention a couple of ways to calm down those good genes that have gone bad.

Extras + Features

  • Official Trailer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Official Trailer

    S1 - 30s

    THE GENE weaves together science, history & personal stories for a historical biography of the human genome, while also exploring breakthroughs for diagnosis & treatment of genetic diseases & the complex ethical questions they raise.

  • Dominant vs Recessive Traits: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Dominant vs Recessive Traits

    S1 - 41s

    How could you take a piece of information and make it vanish from one generation, and then have it reappear? The only way is if the genetic information doesn’t get erased. It can be suppressed and hidden, but it remains intact across generations.

  • DNA: Read Whole or in Part: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    DNA: Read Whole or in Part

    S1 - 52s

    Did you know that the DNA found within each gene can be read whole or in part, producing different results? It’s as if the exact same phrases and sentences that provide the instructions for making the legs of a chair could be rearranged to make the seat or the armrests.

  • The Most Human Thing We Have in Common: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Most Human Thing We Have in Common

    S1 - 43s

    “This generation has the responsibility to protect and to understand and to intervene on the most human thing that we possess in common – the human genome. And it’s an awesome responsibility.” - Dr. Sid Mukherjee.

  • The Double Helix: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Double Helix

    S1 - 53s

    Examine what makes up the perfectly symmetrical double helix and what that discovery means for the secret of life.

  • The Race to Sequence the Human Genome: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Race to Sequence the Human Genome

    S1 - 1m

    Catch up on the race to sequence the human genome and the consequences of what would happen if genes involved in diseases such as breast cancer became available only to the highest bidders.

  • A Young Family Navigating Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A Young Family Navigating Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

    S1 - 4m 30s

    This excerpt is the story of a young family with two children who have spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA is a rare genetic neuromuscular disease that affects the part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. It is a deteriorating disease — and children with this form of SMA may survive to two years of age or older.

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