American Association for the Advancement of Science

About: American Association for the Advancement of Science is a nonprofit organization based out in Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Science education & Government. The organization has 353 authors who have published 897 publications receiving 18841 citations. The organization is also known as: AAAS.

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pilot Project

Abstract: LB-247 The Cancer Genome Atlas Pilot Project (TCGA), sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), is a 3-year program designed to test the feasibility of a long-term, comprehensive cancer genomics program that will produce an ‘atlas’ of genomic and epigenomic somatic alterations that occur in cancers. Specifically, TCGA will determine if it is feasible to efficiently identify comprehensive genomic changes in three cancers: glioblastoma multiforme, squamous carcinoma of the lung and serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary. There are four components of TCGA that work in an integrated fashion: a Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR), Cancer Genome Characterization Centers (CGCCs), Genome Sequencing Centers (GSCs) and a Data Coordinating Center (DCC). The BCR will utilize standard operating procedures for the collection, storage and processing of tumors and will extract DNA and RNA from the samples. The BCR will distribute the biomolecules to the CGCCs and the GSCs for genomic and epigenomic analyses. The CGCCs will use a variety of advanced technology platforms to analyze chromosomal copy number alterations, loss of heterozygosity, expression profiles, and epigenomic changes in tumors from 500 patients for each cancer type. The GSCs will use high-throughput sequencing to generate millions of reads per year. The targets to sequence will be specific for each cancer and will be selected based upon the data generated by the CGCCs, as well published literature. The targets include candidate genes (the transcribed unit, the promoter regions and splicing signals), as well as genomic regions identified by the CGCCs to be altered. This unprecedented amount of comprehensive cancer genomic information will be placed into public databases, including one developed specifically for TCGA, the DCC. Certain types of data will be available only through controlled access to protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants. The data analysis will require development of improved tools and algorithms to ensure the most efficient integration of the experimental generated and the clinical data available. The long-term goals of TCGA are the identification of new cancer-associated genes which would be used to develop new therapies, new genomic markers for patient stratification, treatment targeting, improved patient risk assessment and to innovate medical and research technologies. More information about TCGA, including the list of participant laboratories, can be found at http://cancergenome.nih.gov.

Meeting the challenge of science literacy: project 2061 efforts to improve science education.

Abstract: A modern understanding of the cell and its functions has been translated into learning goals for K-12 students by Project 2061's Benchmarks for Science Literacy (American Association for the Advancement of Science [AAAS], 1993 ) and by the National Research Council's National Science Education Standards (NSES) (National Research Council [NRC], 1996 ). Nearly every state has used these national documents to develop their own science standards, so that there is now a fairly broad consensus on what it is that students need to know and be able to do in science generally and in biology more specifically. While this consensus represents an important first step toward improving science education, without curriculum, instruction, and assessments that are well aligned with these goals, teachers will find it extremely difficult to help their students achieve them. Here, we first highlight a few of the key findings regarding cell biology from Project 2061's study of high school textbooks and their alignment with standards. We then describe Project 2061's current efforts to develop new knowledge and tools that educators, researchers, and practitioners can use to help all students become literate in science, mathematics, and technology. Project 2061 is a long-term K–12 education initiative of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Fostering the History of Science in American Science Education

Abstract: Given the expanding role of science and technology in the modern world, it becomes ever more urgent for general education — the education, that is, of all students, not exclusively those headed toward college and technical careers — to produce scientifically literate graduates. Not withstanding its desirability, that grand aim has proven elusive.

The Interdependence of Science and Law

Abstract: The practice of science depends upon sound law, and vice versa The law must seek decisions that fall within the boundaries of scientifically sound decisions and approximately reflect the scientific state of the art One means for this is the use of court-appointed scientific experts in technical cases to assist judges in gleaning unbiased information and determining the validity of scientific evidence