In this magazine we explore how scientists and doctors use imaging and other techniques to understand what is going on inside the brain without having to open the skull. These techniques include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Also featured are case studies on the ethical, social and legal issues around the brain, and interviews with a young woman being treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder, a paediatric brain surgeon and a cultural historian interested in the brain. A related poster is available (also on TES).

This magazine (pdf) explores the developments in genetic sequencing and research made over the last decade. More at: www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture. What's inside our genome? How do genomes of different organisms compare? Also includes: the role of our genes in health and disease, mitochondrial DNA, epigenetics, how our genes affect our personality and physical appearance, ethics of genetic testing before birth and for health insurance. Real-life interviews with people working with genes, and people with genetic diseases. More articles, activities etc. at www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/genes

A magazine (pdf), colour poster and video all about animal cells and cell biology. For more: www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture. Contents includes the latest scientific research on cell structure and type, cell division, including mitosis and meiosis, cell growth and differentiation, cell communication including the role of the cell membrane, transport within cells, apoptosis and cell death, stem cells and ethics. The video follows a PhD student who uses cells in the lab. Made by the Wellcome Trust. For more articles, image galleries, videos and lesson plans www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/cell

This fully annotated colour poster shows the brain, a neuron (nerve cell) and synapse in detail. There is also a diagram of the lobes of the brain, and imaging and information on the effects of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer&'s disease and stroke on the brain. There are details of key neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine and noradrenaline. Part of Wellcome Trust&';s Big Picture: Inside the Brain (PDF on TES). Order printed copies and download poster images: www.wellcome.ac.uk/Education-resources/Teaching-and-education/Big-Picture/All-issues/Inside-the-brain/WTS040947.htm

This magazine (pdf) is about the biological, neurological and psychological aspects of addiction. For more see www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/addiction. Explore some of the ways people understand addiction and find out about the science behind it. Includes case studies on internet addiction and gambling addiction, as well an interviews with the child of an alcoholic, and a teenage cannabis user and a psychiatrist. More at www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture

A full-colour, annotated poster showing the stages of anaerobic and aerobic respiration and how our bodies transfer energy from food to create ATP. Part of Wellcome Trust's Big Picture: Exercise, Energy and Movement (see more: www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/exercise. Details of glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain and anaerobic respiration and where in the cell they happen (cytosol and mitochondria) Includes glossary of terms such as redox reactions, NAD, FAD, ATP, ADP.

All living things need energy, and humans are no exception. In 'Big Picture: Food and Diet', we look at the latest biological and medical research findings to investigate different aspects of diet and nutrition - including appetite, obesity, taste, allergies, metabolic diseases, epigenetics, food policy and behaviour. Online at www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/food you can download the PDF of the magazine and see our online resources, including films, a nutrition quiz, glossary, articles and image galleries. Created by the Wellcome Trust for 16+ students and learners of all ages.

A magazine (pdf) about the biological systems behind how we move. For more (incl. poster on cellular respiration): www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/exercise. Includes the skeletal and muscular systems, and why and how humans move. See how oxygen gets into our bodies and is used to transfer energy from our food. We consider some of the mental aspects of exercise and sport as well as the ethics of enhancing performance by drugs, prosthetics. Also interviews with a sports psychologist, paralympic swimmer and scientific researcher. Online: more articles, image galleries, videos and lesson ideas

Fast facts on food and diet, ideal for sparking debate, starting a lesson, getting students interested in finding out new things. Short PowerPoint presentation that can be used whole or as indic=vidual slides. Part of Wellcome Trust's Big Picture: Food and Diet educational resource. For more, see: www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/food

The immune system is what keeps us healthy in spite of the many organisms and substances that can do us harm. In this issue, explore how our bodies are designed to prevent potentially harmful objects from getting inside, and what happens when bacteria, viruses, fungi or other foreign organisms or substances breach these barriers. http://bigpictureeducation.com/immune

For 16+ students, this magazine (PDF) explores what do we mean by 'normal&'? Why do we take the form we do? Why do we do so much to change what nature has given us? What might we look like in the future? Includes interviews with someone with a facial paralysis condition, and someone born with dwarfism. For more, see: www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/

Many of us reach for a cup of tea or coffee when we’re tired, but why? It’s because these and some other drinks contain the stimulant caffeine. But how does it affect the body? And how much is too much? In this article we look at the effects of the stimulant, found in chocolate, coffee, cola and fizzy drinks, energy drinks and caffeine tablets, and explore the recommended amounts we should be having in our diets. Part of Wellcome Trust's Big Picture: Food and Diet (www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/food). See there for more food mythbusting.

Explore how pharmaceuticals work and consider the part they play in modern life. How are new drugs made? How do you test drug efficacy and safety? What are the economics of the pharmaceutical industry? How do you measure the biological and psychological effects of drugs? Includes a student activity in which you have to decide which one of three drugs should be developed. More at: www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture

Download a free colour poster focused on the immune response http://bigpictureeducation.com/immune

In this issue of the Big Picture by the Wellcome Trust, we explore proteins and discover how they are involved in all kinds of processes in humans and other organisms.

This magazine looks at the nature of influenza, drugs and vaccines that can fight it, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, how it compares to previous strains and what international and national bodies are doing about it. Includes the origins of swine flu, the history of flu pandemics, flu vaccines and drugs and Spanish flu and swine flu compared. More at: www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/flu

Ideas for further activities you could do in class around current research and associated societal issues on food production and consumption. Explore bread making, a debate on omega-3 fatty acids, ways to present data, practical ideas, an animation on atherosclerosis and making an advert. This is based on Big Picture: Food and Diet magazine (http://bit.ly/uT08OL). If you do any of these activities, we'd love to hear from you - please send any materials or comments to bigpicture@wellcome.ac.uk.

In Heart Beaters children will investigate the effect exercise has on their body and the time it takes them to recover. This unit has three lessons. Heart Beaters is part of the Wellcome Trust’s In the Zone initiative inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Free In the Zone resource kits were sent to UK schools and colleges in Spring 2012 and contain all the equipment needed for the lessons. For further resources go to http://www.getinthezone.org.uk/schools/ages-4-11/ages-9-11/

What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you read the word population? Most likely it’s the ever-increasing human population on earth. You’re a member of that population, which is the term for all the members of a single species living together in the same location. The term population isn’t just used to describe humans; it includes other animals, plants and microbes too. In this issue, we learn more about how populations grow, change and move, and why understanding them is so important.

This magazine (pdf, published 2009) explores the potential impact of climate change on human health. More at www.wellcome.ac.uk/bigpicture/climatechange. This magazine asks what the biggest threats to human health are, who will suffer as the climate changes, and what can be done to minimise harm. It includes interviews with people whose lives are directly affected by climate change. More at www.wellcome.ac.uk

A booked packed full of great facts on the body, genetics, evolution, health and disease, the brain, food and diet, sex and gender and applied science. The facts are collated from the last 14 issues of Big Picture. Use them in project work, as part of lessons or even just to astound your friends and colleagues. Great to stimulate debate or open a lesson.