SMED Cohort DNA Primer/Resources July 20121

July 20, 2012

Welcome SMED Cohort members.

My name is Kari van Zee, and I work at OSU as the Program Coordinator for the STEPs (Scientists and Teachers in Education Partnerships) Program. I also am an instructor in the Biochemistry-Biophysics Department and co-teach the undergraduate lab series BB493/494 for the BB Department. Through the STEPs program and in collaboration with Carole Beedlow, I have hosted DNA and biotechnology workshops for in-service teachers, members of the community, and students for many years and have a lending library of equipment available to classroom teachers. I am working with Ron Gray and Carole Beedlow this summer to help organize the DNA camps you will be leading for middle school and high school students. As we had to create a camp description to recruit students and obtain materials in advance of your arrival, we have put much of the structure in place for the schedule and activities. The activities can be tailored to meet the level of your audience, and your own interests/learning objectives. and work well at middle and high school levels. I will be out of town July 28-Aug 4 and will miss your first week on campus. I will be back and available to work with you during the camps. I am also happy to be a resource to you during the year.

As we know that each of you will have different levels of experience in DNA biotechnology, we are putting together a primer and list of resources you can use to either review or learn about the topics you will guide the students through. During the week of the middle school camp, we have scheduled time in the afternoons to talk about the more advanced labs we’ll be doing in the high school session.

Hope this helps.

I look forward to meeting and working with each of you when I return.

Kari van Zee

541-737-1773

Descriptions ofBIOCamps with STEM Academy at OSU: so you have a feel for what kinds of topics you will be covering.

Ron and Carole will provided a more detailed schedule during your first week on campus.

Fun with DNA(middle school, Aug. 6-10, 9 am -12 noon) Students will immerse themselves in activities and experiments designed to build a strong foundation in cell biology, genetics, biotechnology, and microbiology. Through model-making, microscope observations, and laboratories – including DNA extraction and genetic engineering – participants build an understanding of cell biology, microbiology, genetics, and biotechnology.

Activities will include:

  • Constructing cell and DNA models
  • Using compound microscopes to view various cell types
  • Extract DNA from their own cells and from plants
  • Explore gel electrophoresis and how it can be used to separate dyes and DNA molecules to make a fingerprint
  • Talks and lab tours with scientists at OSU: Anne-Marie Girard, Caprice Rosato in The Center for Genome Research (Confocal Microscope and DNA Sequencing Core Lab), and a tour of DNA and proteins in 3-D with Dr. Hsu, Biochemistry Department

World of DNA: (high school, Aug. 13-17th, 9 am -12 noon) Students will explore recombinant-DNA techniques used throughout the research and biotechnology community to study gene function. Students will learn techniques used in DNA analysis including restriction enzyme analysis, gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and bacterial transformation. Participants will use PCR to make mutations in the jelly fish gene for green fluorescent protein.

Resources/Primer

Topics to cover/understand:

  • DNA structure-helix, base pairs, sugar phosphate backbone, gene, chromosome
  • Structure of a Cell—organelles and their function. Animal and plant cells.
  • Central Dogma: DNA to RNA to proteins
  • Protein Structure
  • What mutations are
  • Molecular Biology Tools: Microscopes, polymerase chain reaction, plasmids, restriction enzymes, site-directed mutagenesis, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing

Web-based:

Genetics at the University of Utah has an excellent set of “Basics” on DNA structure, DNA to proteins and Cell Biology as well as many lessons and activities. This would be a great place to start.

Dolan DNA Learning Center hosted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories

“Our Molecular Selves” with link to You-Tube video National Human Genome Research Institute.

Wikipedia page on DNA structure

Bio-Rad Kit Manuals (3 pdf sections attached to email)

Bio-Rad makes excellent molecular biology classroom kits as part of its Explorer Program. While these kits can be pricey for schools with limited budgets and multiple sections, they are a great resource for workshop settings and our camp,. The background material in the kit manual is usually very wellwritten. I have saved portions of three different Bio-Rad manuals as pdfs and will ask Ron to send these to you electronically. We will use the DNA Fingerprint kit with the middle school camp. The high school camp will include polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing, but not from these Bio-Rad kits-we will use a different lab developed at UCSD.

  • DNA restriction enzymes
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • DNA sequencing

Text book—will be provided for each cohort member.

Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide for Teachers, Third Edition. Helen Kreuzer and Adrianne Massey, 2008.

This book is an excellent resource for teachers. We will use several of the paper and dry lab activities. The book includes background, activities, a CD with the activity worksheets/templates. We have purchased a copy for each of you. The books will be in the Science and Math Ed Office by Monday, July 23rd. If you are already in town or close by, feel free to stop by and pick up your copy. Otherwise you will receive it when you arrive. The book’s :Part 1 Laying the Foundation, Chapters 1-5 are excellent.