Making Genetics Easy and Fun

Making Genetics Easy and Fun!

Kristin MajdaCSU Channel Islands

[email protected]

Kristin Majda

Education

• BS Biology & Minor in Professional Writing, U.C. Santa Barbara

• Single Subject Clear Credential with CLAD, Cal State Northridge

• MS Biotechnology & MBA, Cal State Channel Islands

Experience

• Technical Writer

• Ventura County High School Science Teacher

• Oxnard College Instructor: Biology, Microbiology

• CIRM Grant Analyst at Cal State Channel Islands

• VP of Gold Coast Science Network (GCSN), Operating Council for the Discovery Center for Science and Technology, Bio Science Alliance (BSA) Workforce Development Group, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Making Genetics Easy and Fun!

AgendaMaking Genetics Easy and Fun!

This presentation intends to:

1. Demonstrate a fun lesson teachers can use to reinforce concepts of meiosis and Mendelian Genetics

2. Introduce teachers to excellent resources for understanding and teaching genetics and biotechnology

Fun ActivitiesMaking Genetics Easy and Fun!

1. Lung Model (not genetics, but super cool!)

2. Mitosis and Meiosis Play Dough Activity

3. Mitosis and Meiosis Puzzle Activity

4. Protein Synthesis Modeling Activity (using the Preproinsulin sequence)

Can integrate peer-reviewed journal articles into the curriculum using this lesson based on the 1980 paper that solved the structure of insulin “Nucelotide Sequence of Human Preproinsulin Complementary DNA” published in Science.







Mitosis Class Activity

Use play dough to act out the steps of mitosis

Interphase DNA Synthesis

1. Prophase•Chromatin condenses to form chromosomes

•Mitotic spindle begins to form

3. Anaphase•Centromeres replicate•Mitotic spindle pulls chromatids apart to opposite sides of cell

2. Metaphase•Mitotic spindle attaches to chromatid pairs and pulls them into alignment at center of cell

4. Telophase•The cell membrane invaginates and pinches off between the two daughter cells

Meiosis Class Activity

Use play dough to act out the steps of meiosis

Interphase1. DNA Synthesis

Prophase I

2. Chromatids pair up

3. Crossing over

Anaphase I5. Random Assortment

7. Prophase II8. Metaphase II9. Anaphase II10. Telophase II

Metaphase I

4. Chromatid pairs line up

Telophase I6. Cytokinesis







Paper Bag Pets: A Genetics ProjectMaking Genetics Easy and Fun!

1. Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices

2. Fill in Table of Alleles and create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait

3. Create gametes for your pet paper bag

4. Find a mate and procreate

5. Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring

6. Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate








Reinforce and help students differentiate between phenotype and genotype

Reinforce that genetic traits are determined by genes, which are found on chromosomes

Demonstrate the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes

Demonstrate that many organisms, like humans, have two sets of each gene unless it occurs on the Y chromosome


Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to this given set of phenotype choices:

Gender male or female?

Tail tail or no tail? (females cannot have tails)

Eye Shape round or oval (almond) shaped?

Eye Color brown, blue, green, yellow?

Eyelashes has eyelashes or is lashless?

Nose Shape circular or triangular?

Hair Color black, brown, or yellow?

Ear Shape round or pointed?


Fill in Table of Alleles for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait


Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait

For Females


Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait

For Males








Reinforce and help students differentiate between phenotype and genotype

Reinforce that genetic traits are determined by genes, which are found on chromosomes

Demonstrate the difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes

Demonstrate that many organisms, like humans, have two sets of each gene unless it occurs on the Y chromosome








Demonstrate the steps of meiosis and how this process promotes genetic variation through mutations (that occur during DNA replication), crossing over, and random segregation/assortment

Demonstrate the law of independent assortment

Demonstrate how meiosis results in four genetically unique gametes

Demonstrate how sexual reproduction promotes genetic diversity through fertilization (joining gametes from two different individuals)


Create gametes for your pet paper bag

Step 1: DNA replication

For MalesFor Females



Random assortmentCrossing

Over

Step 2:Crossing Over

Step 3:Random Assortment

Step 4:First cell division



Step 5:Second cell division


Find a mate and procreate

This is their FAVORITE part

Students LOVE to have SEX








Demonstrate the steps of meiosis and how this process promotes genetic variation through mutations (that occur during DNA replication), crossing over, and random segregation/assortment

Demonstrate the law of independent assortment

Demonstrate how meiosis results in four genetically unique gametes

Demonstrate how sexual reproduction promotes genetic diversity through fertilization (joining gametes from two different individuals)








Introduce or reinforce Mendelian genetics and practice making and using Punnett squares

Demonstrate sex-linked inheritance and differentiate between inheritance patterns of traits on the X chromosome versus the y chromosome

Differentiate between linked genes and genes that independently assort

Reinforce dominant versus recessive allele expression

You can also modify the project to make one or more sets of alleles demonstrate codominance or incomplete dominance


Fill out the Punnett Square Worksheet

There are two versions, one provides more help for less advanced students.














Introduce or reinforce Mendelian genetics and practice making and using Punnett squares

Demonstrate sex-linked inheritance and differentiate between inheritance patterns of traits on the X chromosome versus the y chromosome

Differentiate between linked genes and genes that independently assort

Reinforce dominant versus recessive allele expression

You can also modify the project to make one or more sets of alleles demonstrate codominance or incomplete dominance








Final check for understanding: can students go from genotype phenotype



• Method 1Use as a culminating project at the end of your genetics unit to reinforce key concepts

or…

• Method 2Use as a thematic project that spans your genetics unit and teach key concepts “as you go”


Day 1 Decorate a “pet” paper bag with traits that adhere to a given set of phenotype choices

Day 2 Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype for each trait (use rest of period to introduce or reinforce meiosis)

Day 3 Create gametes for your pet paper bag

Day 3 Find a mate and procreate

Day 4 Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict the traits of your offspring (first introduce or reinforce Mendelian genetics)

Day 5 Give birth: decorate your baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate

Method 1: Culminating Project


1. Teach genes, traits, and phenotypes

2. Decorate “pet” paper bag with phenotypic traits

3. Teach chromosomal structure and packing

4. Create chromosomes for your paper bag pet that reflect its genotype

5. Teach DNA replication, mitosis, and meiosis


7. Teach sexual versus asexual reproduction


9. Reinforce mitosis and consider optional enrichment topics related to developmental biology, embryology, stem cell technology, etc

10. Teach Mendelian genetics

11. Fill out the Punnett square worksheet to predict traits of offspring

12. Give birth: decorate baby bag with phenotypes that match its genotypes and fill out the birth certificate

13. Follow up with protein synthesis (gene protein trait)

Method 2: Thematic Unit Centered Around Project

AgendaMaking Genetics Easy and Fun!

This presentation intends to:

1. Demonstrate a fun lesson teachers can use to reinforce concepts of meiosis and Mendelian Genetics

2. Introduce teachers to excellent resources for understanding and teaching genetics and biotechnology

Resources for Teaching GeneticsMaking Genetics Easy and Fun!

• Genetics and molecular biology involve abstract concepts

• Animations are critical – they engage students and enable them to visualize microscopic and/or abstract principles

• The DNA Learning Center (DNALC) includes– Animations – Interactive websites– Curriculum development tools– Thematic lessons/units– Reference material

www.dnalc.org/resources/animations


Real-time animations of transcription, translation, DNA replication, and many biotechnologies- Many are downloadable

Stand-alone websites with excellent resources for teaching genetics and cellular and molecular biology

www.dnalc.org


http://www.dnalc.org/resources/3d/index.html








• Genetic Basics (NIH Publication No. 01-662) Free Guide from National Institutes of Health. http://www.nigms.nih.gov/

• The Genes We Share with Yeast, Flies, Worms, and Mice Free guide from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Office of Communications, 4000 Jones Bridge Road, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 20815-6789. http://www.hhmi.org

• The Human Genome Project

– http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml

– http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/program.html

– http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/genome/sequ_flash.html

• Award Winning Genetics Resources from the University of Utah– http://learn.genetics.utah.edu

– http://teach.genetics.utah.edu

Resources for Teaching BiotechnologyMaking Genetics Easy and Fun!

Biotechnology…

• enables us to show real-world applications of genetics and provides opportunities for meaningful labs

• is part of the CA science standards for high school biology, but has applications to many standards across the sciences for all grade levels

• combines disciplines like genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology and cell biology; with applications in medicine, agriculture, environmental science, materials science, bio-fuels, etc.


Jobs in the biotechnology sector are increasing and there is a critical need for a vast range of skilled workers, from lab assistants to PhD researchers

Biology and chemistry teachers can use applications of biotechnology to strongly engage student interest and stimulate student-directed investigation and experimentation in their classrooms


Biotechnologies include methods to:

• Cut (restriction enzymes), paste (ligation), and move DNA segments from one chromosome to another (recombinant DNA) and/or one cell to another (transformation) (Genetic Engineering)

• Make many copies of DNA segments (amplification)

• Identify individuals and/or diseases based on their unique DNA profiles (DNA sequencing, DNA fingerprinting, immunoassays, bioinformatics)

• Determine evolutionary relationships (phylogenetics) within and between species

• Turn genes up (upregulation) and down (down regulation), or on (gene activation) and off (gene silencing)

• Grow cells (cell culture), manipulate stem cells to develop into specific tissue types (differentiation), or manipulate differentiated cells to regress back to stem cells

• Create genetically identical copies of organisms (cloning)


• Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Lab Program Amgen Foundation provides all materials and equipment (including reagents) for eight comprehensive biotechnology labs. http://www.bwbiotechprogram.com


• Fold it Protein folding game http://fold.it/portal/info/science


• 3D Molecular Designs Cool models of 3D molecular structures that provide nice hands-on experience. www.3dmoleculardesigns.com

Lends out molecular models for 2 weeks http://cbm.msoe.edu/teachRes/library/index.html


• DNA Sequencing Tutorial/Animation http://www.biostudio.com/case_freeman_dna_sequencing.html

• Exploratorium Teacher Institute Four week program in summer that teaches how to make all kinds of “do it yourself” activities (email [email protected] or call 415-561-0313)

• McGraw Hill’s Biotechnology Animations– http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072437316/student_view0/

chapter16/animations.html

• Stem Cells– http://www.sumanasinc.com/scienceinfocus/sif_stemcells.html– http://www.dnalc.org/resources/animations/stemcells.html


• ELISA Tutorials/Animations – http://www.sumanasinc.com/webcontent/animations/content/ELISA.html– http://www.biology.arizona.edu/immunology/activities/elisa/technique.html– http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072556781/student_view0/chapter33/

animation_quiz_1.html

• Pregnancy Test Animation Use this website and a pregnancy test from the Dollar Store to show your kids how antibodies are used to identify proteins in body fluids like blood and urinehttp://www.whfreeman.com/kuby/content/anm/kb07an01.htm

• Microarray Tutorial/Animations http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/genomics/chip/chip.html

• PCR Tutorial/Animation – http://www.maxanim.com/genetics/PCR/PCR.htm– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmqqRPISg0g – http://www.dnalc.org/resources/animations/pcr.html


• Recombinant DNA Tutorial/Animation– http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/TeachingResources/Applications/

GMOpkgJKloseGLampard2.swf– http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/TeachingResources/Applications/

GMOpkgJKloseGLampard2.swf– http://webapps.css.udel.edu/biotech/rDNA.html

• Gel Electrophoresis Tutorial/Animation – http://www.dnalc.org/ddnalc/resources/electrophoresis.html– http://www.dnalc.org/resources/animations/gelelectrophoresis.html– http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel/


• PyMOL to visualize small molecules and macromolecules in 3D. http://www.pymol.org/

• Protein Data Bank is a database that includes structural and functional information about proteins, including the FASTA files needed to display them in PyMOL. http://www.rcsb.org/pdb

• Jmol is a simple tool for molecular visualization that has an online gallery for easy access, with limited control over the appearance of molecules. http://molvis.sdsc.edu/fgij/index.htm

• Biomolecular Explorer 3D provides information about and 3D images of relevent biological macromolecules right on the website. http://www.umass.edu/molvis/bme3d/index.html

• PredictProtein provides analyses protein you input and predicts structure. http://www.predictprotein.org/

• Proteomics Tools http://www.expasy.ch/tools/

http://www.predictprotein.org/


• PubMed includes links to full text journal articles and other related resources. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/

• SWISS-PROT protein database. http://www.expasy.org/sprot/

• SDSC Biology Workbench allows scientists to search many protein and nucleic acid sequence databases. http://workbench.sdsc.edu

• JCVI-CMR (Comprehensive Microbial Resource) maintains databases that include prokaryotic, plant, fungal, and parasitic genomes. http://cmr.jcvi.org/tigr-scripts/CMR/CmrHomePage.cgi

• ORF Finder scans a FASTA sequence for a segment of DNA to determine potential open reading frames (sections that code for a gene) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gorf/gorf.html

• Lipid bank http://lipidbank.jp/

• Glycan Structure Database www.glycosuite.com

Thank You!Making Genetics Easy and Fun!

Questions?

Kristin [email protected]

[email protected]

Making Genetics Easy and Fun

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