Learning Gene Therapy through a Bacterial Transformation Lab

1. Learning Gene Therapy through a Bacterial Transformation Lab Kristen Kopf Elk Grove H.S. RET 2010 Teaching Module University of Illinois at Chicago December 4, 2010

2. Inspiration for Unit • Summer research included techniques used for gene therapy • Bacterial Transformation • Techniques are possible in a high school lab • Unit reflects current and exciting prospects in science technology

3. Target Student Population • Students in 9th and 10th grades taking Biology • Average students • Current ACT score 16-19 • 6th grade – 9th grade reading levels • Includes at-risk and English-language learners • Students have already learned about DNA and protein synthesis

4. Unit Objectives • Describe how we can change an organism’s traits • Explain the uses for and limitations of gene therapy • Explain the purpose of the laboratory steps for gene therapy • Describe what is meant by the term “transformed organism” • Read and follow a lab procedure • Identify a control in an experiment

5. Activities • Gene Therapy Webquest • Unit Overview Picture • Bacterial Transformation PowerPoint • Bacterial Transformation Introduction • Bacterial Transformation Lab • Lab Quiz

6. Gene Therapy Webquest • Webquest created by the University of Utah • Students will learn… • Definition of gene therapy • Compare and contrast vectors used in gene therapy • Practice reading for information

7. Unit Overview Picture • Illustrates the major steps necessary for gene therapy • How do we isolate the gene? • How do we get the gene into the cell? • How do we get the cell to express the protein? • For practice, cut up the stages and have students place them in order

9. Bacterial Transformation PowerPoint • Goes more in depth into the laboratory steps necessary for gene therapy • Restriction Enzymes • PCR • Gel Electrophoresis • Transform Bacteria • Induce protein expression • Students take Cornell style notes

10. Lab Introduction • Students complete a reading and questions to discover: • Definition of transformed organisms • Purpose of an experimental control • How we can give organisms a new phenotype • How we will induce the expression of the pBlu gene to turn the bacteria from white to blue

11. Bacterial Transformation Lab • Cost = $109 for a kit with 8 stations • Carolina Biological • Students transform bacteria to change their appearance from white to blue • Focus is on following a lab procedure • Storyboard

12. Lab Quiz • Focuses on why students completed certain steps in the lab procedure • Example: Heat shock • Students must analyze plates and determine the control

14. Anticipated Outcomes • Increase in student engagement • “Feel like real scientists” • Connection to past concepts • Reinforcement of lab technique and data analysis

15. Acknowledgements • RET 2010 Program NSF Grant #CBET EEC-0743068, NIH R01 NS055095, and R03 EY014357 (RAG). • The summer research was conducted in a facility constructed with support from Research Facilities Improvement Program Grant Number C06 RR15482 from the National Center for Research Resources, NIH. • Dr. Richard Gemeinhart, Research Mentor • Dr. Andreas Linninger, Program Director • Staff at Elk Grove High School • University of Utah for the gene therapy webquest