Case It! vs Geniverse

Case It! is a free framework for collaborative case-based learning in molecular biology. Its v705 software simulates laboratory procedures on DNA and protein sequences, including PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, restriction enzyme digestion, ELISA, microarrays, and Southern and Western blots. It supports plasmid DNA, labelled gels, and locating restriction enzyme sites, including Cas9 sites, in double-stranded DNA. Connections to bioinformatics software and websites support sequence alignment and tree-building, and sequence search is listed as useful for undergraduate research. The download includes DNA and protein sequences cited in case descriptions on topics such as genetic and infectious diseases. Case It Mobile presents selected cases through scenarios and videos of simulated procedures on phones and tablets. Cases not converted for mobile and custom sequences require v705. The project says v705 runs on current Windows and Mac systems and documents an M-series Mac setup using UTM and Windows 11 Pro. Educational users can download it free after submitting a form.

Geniverse was free, web-based software for learning heredity and genetics by breeding and studying virtual dragons. Its interactive models used real genes to support simulated experiments and generate genetic data. Dragon genes and traits were based on anole lizards, mice and fruit flies. Activities covered heredity and genetic diseases, asking students to produce evidence and present findings through writing and classroom scientific argumentation. Teachers were expected to guide the work and connect it with real-world genetics. The project described audiences across middle school, high school, higher education and informal learning, with high school biology as its stated focus. Concord reported effects on science knowledge and evidence-based argumentation, while noting classroom implementation influenced outcomes and only 25% of students in one study reached the minimum level. Geniverse has been retired because it became too difficult to maintain after National Science Foundation funding ended. Its Lab resource ran in a browser, including listed Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Edge versions.