January 31 - May 7, 2006

Design a Dog exhibit

What makes us the same? What makes us different? And what do we share with every living thing on Earth? Find the answers in Genetics!, a 6,000 square foot exhibition on loan from the Pacific Science Center in Seattle and sponsored locally by Berlex Laboratories of Montville, N.J. Explore the science of genetics with 24 interactive devices from the 19th-century experiments of Gregor Mendel to the gene-splicing edge of modern biotechnology.

“Berlex is excited about partnering with the Morris Museum to bring Genetics! to the Morris County region,” said Marc Rubin, MD, Chairman, Berlex Inc. “This science-oriented exhibition fits in perfectly with our mission to research and develop new technologies that improve the quality of life for those around us.”

Exhibition highlights:

Trait Walk - Stroll through the concentric circles on the floor following the phenotype for the various traits you possess (hair color, eye color, earlobes, etc.) to arrive at the outer edge where your traits add up to make you unique. You may be surprised at how far away you end up from even a close relative!

DNA Crime Lab - DNA evidence has increasingly become an invaluable tool in helping law enforcement crack cases that might otherwise remain unsolved. Sift through the DNA evidence left at the scene of a cookie theft caper and ferret out the culprit from a list of possible suspects.

Clone-A-Sheep - Most of us have heard of Dolly, the famous sheep cloned using DNA, but what exactly were the steps necessary to succeed at such a feat? What might some of the problems be for the geneticist? Follow the nine steps, completing the required activities, and produce a sheep clone of your own!