Scientists at Work is a collection of educational short films curated for HHMI BioInteractive, which provides an immersive and enlightening glimpse into the daily lives and research endeavors of STEM professionals. 

The Genetics of Tusklessness

Normally, more than 90% of female African elephants have tusks. But in Gorongosa National Park, which has a history of heavy poaching, over 50% of the elephants are tuskless. To study this striking phenomenon, scientists are trying to determine the genes involved in tusk development and how variations in these genes can lead to tusklessness. In this video, biologist Shane Campbell-Staton walks through the steps of collecting DNA samples from elephants in Gorongosa and how he plans to analyze their DNA sequences.

Mapping Migrations

Migratory birds are declining across the Western Hemisphere. Because migratory birds travel vast distances between breeding and wintering areas, understanding why populations are declining has been difficult. Similar to a human ancestry service, the researchers of the Bird Genoscape Project use genetic information in the tip of a bird feather to identify the breeding origin of individuals captured along the migratory pathway.

From Dog DNA to Human Diseases

Migratory birds are declining across the Western Hemisphere. Because migratory birds travel vast distances between breeding and wintering areas, understanding why populations are declining has been difficult. Similar to a human ancestry service, the researchers of the Bird Genoscape Project use genetic information in the tip of a bird feather to identify the breeding origin of individuals captured along the migratory pathway.

Little Lizard, Big City

Biologists Shane Campbell-Staton and Kristin Winchill take us on a journey to find out how anoles living in urban environments, such as cities, are evolving differently from their forest-dwelling counterparts. Using different research methods (including lizard racetracks), Shane and Kristin determine how limb length, toe pads, and other factors may contribute to the success of species like the Puerto Rican Crested Anole.

Preserving Maize Genetic Diversity

This video follows germplasm bank coordinator Cristian Zavala Espinosa and geneticist Sarah Hearne, who are part of the global effort to preserve the genetic diversity of maize (corn). The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (or CIMMYT) in Mexico protects the diversity of maize by storing seeds and cataloging more than 28,000 different native varieties. Researchers such as Hearne use valuable genetic information about the maize stored here to identify genetic traits that may protect maize crops as climates shift.