SEPGuides: Science Education Partnership: Sickle Cell Anemia

One minute video explanation of basis of sickle cell anemia.

Multiple molecular views of the alpha globin and beta globin molecular structures with user selection to highlight features such as the heme group, basic amino acids, hydrophobic amino acids, etc. Runs in web browser--no additional software needed. Visuals only, no explanations.

Very brief introduction to sickle cell anemia with voice over to explain the animation.

An excellent 4 part tutorial on molecular aspects on sickle cell anemia with historical information, self-tests, and nice links to further sources.

From University of Chicago

Fairly advanced tutorial using BioQuest software tool, Biology Workbench. Helps access amino acid sequences from research data bases and visualize in molecular viewer. Additional reference links are very useful, too.

At a global scale, the sickle cell gene is most commonly found in areas with historically high levels of malaria, adding geographical support to the hypothesis that the gene, while potentially deadly, avoids disappearing through natural selection by providing protection against malaria.

Sandra Soo-Jin Lee, of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, reviews the book "The Troubled Dream of Genetic Medicine—ethnicity and innovation in Tay-Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sickle Cell Disease" (2006) by Keith Wailoo and Stephen Pemberton.

A recent NCAA recommendation to screen college athletes for sickle cell trait - the gene that can cause sickle cell disease - is raising the hackles of some experts who say testing is probably unnecessary, and may even lead to inadvertent discrimination against minority players.