Case It! vs Virtual Genetics Lab II

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.

Virtual Genetics Lab II (VGLII) is a free simulation for students exploring how traits are inherited. Students cross hypothetical creatures and examine offspring, using problems that cover one to three genes. Traits can be autosomal or sex-linked, with simple dominance, co-dominance, or incomplete dominance; instructors can restrict which models are available. Model Builder lets students enter and save genetic models, and instructors can compare responses with correct answers for grading. Version 3 includes chi-squared calculations in the Summary Chart, epistasis and complementation models, and Super Crosses of up to 2,000 offspring. Desktop downloads are listed for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux/UNIX, and the download page says VGLII requires Java 7 or higher. The maker also describes jsVGL, a browser-based version that does not use Java and can load and save work. The maker says VGLII will no longer be supported, while support will continue for jsVGL. Some macOS versions may show an error about loading the Java Runtime Environment; a workaround uses the app's VGLII.jar file.