Table of Contents:

Course Description [top of page]

Biotechnology is a lab-intensive course designed to combine molecular biology with practical applications. Students will be exposed to DNA fingerprinting, gene mapping, electrophoresis and DNA spooling, as well as many activities like making yogurt and bread that relate biotechnology to daily life. Students will also have the opportunity to address social and ethical issues surrounding biotechnology.

Prerequisites include 2 trimesters of biology and 2 trimesters of chemistry. In addition, students need letters of recommendation from two former science teachers. This course runs one trimester in length.

Course Objectives [top of page]

1. Involve the students in discovery, experimentation and hands-on activities.
2. Teach plant transformation by bacteria and draw the parallel to genetic engineering.
3. Present the basic process of gene splicing.
4. Provide practice in laboratory skills, such as sterile technique, serial dilutions, micro techniques, data collection, and safety.
5. Place biotechnology in a historical perspective.
6. Give examples and discuss the impact of biotechnology on agriculture and human health.
7. Discuss the impact of the biotechnology revolution on society; point out the parallel between it and the industrial and computer revolutions.
8. Investigate the impact of the technology on the environment: how improved plants and animals may save forests and/or clean up the environment by allowing a reduction in the use of herbicides and pesticides.
9. Engage students in open-ended labs.
10. Analyze news information: its validity, credibility and bias.
11. Explore ways to balance the need for regulations and the freedom to conduct research; discuss who regulates research and what is regulated.
12. Engage in risk assessment so students can analyze risk.
13. Give students enough information in biotechnology and give them the freedom to debate so they are neither fearful nor overly optimistic about the role biotechnology will play in their future as they become educated consumers.
14. Differentiate between what is and is not ethical concerning the issues that are raised over biotechnology.
15. Assess and recognize possible career connections in biotechnology.

Student Outcomes: Benchmarks for Science Literacy - Project 2061 [top of page]

1. Page 11: 1b: grade 3-5: #1-4
2. Page 186: 8a: grade 6-8: #1-3
3. Page 207: 8f: grade 9-12: #7
4. Page 294: 12c: grade 9-12: #1-3
5. Page 19: 1c: grade 9-12; #1-2
6. Page 146: 6e: Page 207: 8f: grade 9-12: #3 & 7
7. Page 160: 7b: Page 259: 10j: grade 9-12: #1-3
8. Page 73: 4c: Page 166: 7d: grade 9-12: #1-3
9. Page 11: 1b: grade 3-5: #1-4
10. Page 177: 7g: grade 6-8: #1-5
11. Page 134: 6b: grade 9-12: #4
12. Page 52: 3b: grade 9-12: #4
13. Page 55: 3c: grade 3-5: #1-3; grade 9-12: #1 & 2
14. Page 17: 1c: grade 6-8: #5
15. Page 17: 1c: page 46: 3a: grade 6-8: #3

Outline of Subject Matter and Learning Activities [top of page]

We have compiled a binder of activities from various sources. We will not be using all of the activities, but we have created a bank of ideas from which to choose. These various labs, demos, activities and articles are both incorporated into our outline (to be revised and adjusted as we incorporate new issues and/or techniques) as well as listed separately in Articles, Labs, etc... section.

A. Introduction: Discuss "What is Biotechnology and Why Study It?"

1. History

2. Application

a. future in agriculture

b. future in medicine

c. activity: Fermentation in the Food Industry - Food source for our growing population

i. bread making

ii. yogurt making

iii. cheese making

d. research: Historical Scientists

e. activity: A supermarket in the 21st century

f. activity: Biotechnology Time Capsule

B. DNA Structure and Significance: Interactive Lecture Format

1. DNA Structure: Activities

a. marshmellow DNA Ladder

b. cut-Out DNA Molecules

c. three Activities Using Pop-it Beads

2. DNA Replication: Activity

- role-play DNA nucleotides, DNA polymerase and primers

C. Messenger RNA, Transfer RNA and Proteins

1. Discussion

2. Activities (found in binder)

a. paper clip proteins

b. index card proteins

3. Review sheet: Structure of DNA and RNA

D. Basics of Genetics - Glossary for Biotechnology Concepts

1. Lecture and discussion on chromosomes, genes, alleles, karyotype, phenotype, genotype, recessive, dominant, heterozygous, homozygous, eukaryotes, prokaryotes, plasmids

2. Activities

a. cut and paste karyotype

b. linguistics: word derivations from Greek and Latin

E. Mendelian Genetics

1. Activity: Begin growing fast plants and journal entries

2. Discussion and lecture: Punnet squares, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, Hardy- Weinberg, pedigrees

3. Extension activities

a. worksheet: monohybrid cross

b. worksheet: dihybrid cross

c. The Ultimate Pedigree Challenge

d. Fast plant crosses (F₁ and F₂)

F. Lab Safety and Aseptic Procedure: Handout on Safety Guidelines for Biotechnology Experiments

1. Discuss hazardous materials, glass, Bunsen burners

2. Demonstrate proper disposal methods

3. Demonstrate aseptic procedures

G. Genetic Engineering and Gene Splicing

1. Lecture: bacteria as genetic tools

2. Paper activity: cut DNA and plasmids

3. Gene splicing crossword

4. Gene splicing cut-out

5. Lab: Modeling gene transfer with a plasmid

H. Interaction of Bacteria and Plants: Discussion

1. Nitrogen fixation

2. Aseptic technique vs. contamination in plant tissue cultures

3. Work on a variety of plant tissue cultures

I. Genetic Engineering

1. DNA spooling

a. lab (onion, banana, etc.): down and dirty DNA extraction

b. dramatization: Insulin production

c. activity: Genetic Engineering factory model

2. Gene splicing - Restriction Enzymes

- lab: bacterial DNA extraction (other options: prepare restriction digest and restriction enzyme EcoR1)

J. Transformation

1. Methods of accomplishing: interactive lecture

2. Transformation in plants: lab on plant tissue culture

3. Lab: bacterial transformation

4. Lab: cloning of African Violets

K. Transformation in Animals

1. Lecture: animal tissue cultures

2. Lab: animal tissue cultures

3. Activity: Endangered Species - Genetics to the Rescue

4. Discussion and worksheet: Viruses as Vectors

5. Transgenic animals: bioethical discussion

6. Animal biotechnology products (BST lab)

L. Electrophoresis

1. PCR simulation: computer activity

2. Electrophoresis and blotting techniques: lecture

3. Electrophoresis lab

4. DNA fingerprinting: activity

5. Who Dunnit?: activity

6. DNA restriction analysis: lab

7. Forensic testing - ethical issues: discussion

8. Lab: Forensic Science - A paternal case experiment

M. Sequencing DNA

- Plasmids and linear

N. Immunology and Biotechnology

1. Functioning of the immune system review

2. The immune system as a biotechnology tool: lecture

3. Demonstration: pregnancy tests as an antibody based test (found in binder)

4. Simulated HIV testing: the controversy over at-home testing

5. Lab: Detection of a Food Allergin by Immunoblotting

6. Viruses

a. viruses as tools in genetic engineering: lecture

b. building virus structural models: activity

O. Ethical and Moral Issues Associated with Biotechnology

1. Bioethical decision making

2. Classroom debate: bioethical decision making

3. An Ethical Issue: Do you own your own body?: activity

4. Medical Ethics: activity

5. Ag Ethics: activity

6. The Real Jurassic Park

a. video

b. article: Jurassic Park and PR Problems for Scientists

c. the bioethics of Jurassic Park: activity

7. Scenarios

P. Risk Analysis

1. Activity: Scenarios involving risk

2. Classroom discussion

Q. Interpreting the Media

1. Discuss biases concerning media coverage of bioethics

2. Article: Cabbage Man

3. Article: Heart Attack Drug

4. Research: Signs of the Times

R. Careers in Biotechnology

1. College related and Tech related: discussion

2. Biotech careers: activity and research (The Perfect Applicant)

3. Circle of Life Information

4. Video: Careers in Biotechnology and Agriculture

Articles, Labs, etc... [top of page]

1. History worksheet
2. Fermentation in the Food Industry Activity (#27 - Biotech Workshop)
3. Bread, cheese and yogurt making labs (Aaron Staut, Rice Lake)
4. A Supermarket in the 21st Century Activity <#28 - Biotech Workshop)
5. Biotechnology Time Capsule Activity

6. Marshmellow DNA Ladder (Mary Larson, Mineral Point)
7. Cut-out DNA Molecule Activity (#51 - Biotech Workshop)
8. Three Activities using Pop-it Beads (#55 - Biotech Workshop)
9. DNA Replication Activity (Amy Cherovsky, Neenah)
10. Role-playing DNA (Lynn Petersen, Neenah)

11. Paper clip and index card proteins (Karen Klyczek, UWRF)
12. DNA and mRNA worksheet
13. Cut and paste karyotype activity (Bruce Leventhal, Forest Lake)
14. Fast Plants Journal (Lanny Neel, UWRF)
15. Monohybrid and Dihybrid worksheets

16. The Ultimate Pedigree Challenge (Aaron Staut, Rice Lake)
17. Fast Plant Crosses F₁ and F₂ lab
18. Lab safety handout
19. Cut DNA and Plasmids paper activity (Aaron Staut, Rice Lake)
20. Gene splicing cut-out activity and crossword (Aaron Staut, Rice Lake)

21. Modeling gene transfer with a plasmid lab (Karen Klyczek, UWRF)
22. Onion spooling lab
23. Dramatization of Insulin production
24. Genetic Engineering Factory Model activity (#10 - Biotech Workshop)
25. Bacterial DNA extraction lab (#5 - Biotech Workshop)

26. Bacterial transformation lab (#9 - Biotech Workshop)
27. Cloning of African Violet lab (Phil Schleicher, Columbus, WI)
28. Animal tissue culture lab (Karen Klyczek, UWRF)
29. Endangered Species Activity (#14 - Biotech Workshop)
30. Viruses as Vectors worksheet (Karen Klyczek, UWRF)

31. BST Lab (Karen Klyczek, UWRF)
32. Electrophoresis lab (#53 and #60 - Biotech Workshop)
33. Who Dunnit? activity (#13 - Biotech Workshop)
34. DNA Restriction Analysis lab
35. Forensic testing discussion and/or worksheet

36. Forensic science lab/scenario
37. Pregnancy test demonstration (Karen Klyczek, UWRF)
38. Detection of Food Allergin by Immunoblotting (Karen Klyczek, UWRF)
39. Building viral structural model of choice
40. Classroom debate on bioethical decision making

41. Do you own your own body? activity (Aaron Staut, Rice Lake)
42. Medic and Ag Ethics activities (Aaron Staut, Rice Lake)
43. Jurassic Park article and bioethics activity (#52 - Biotech Workshop)
44. Scenario activity and scenarios involving risk activity (#7 - Biotech Workshop)
45. Cabbage man and heart attack drug articles (#7 - Biotech Workshop)

46. Signs of the Times research (Aaron Staut, Rice Lake)
47. Information and research on careers in biotechnology (#49 - Biotech Workshop)

Listings of Instructional Materials [top of page]

Amounts of these items are not listed as each classroom situation is different. Also, many materials can be substituted with less expensive products or adapted for demonstration with household materials. Money is not the issue...imagination is!

1. Computer software
2. Access to Internet Lab
3. Standard Laboratory Equipment
4. Electrophoresis Set-ups (could substitute Tupperware, copper wire, etc)
5. Classroom sets - hot and cold water baths

6. Classroom sets of scissors and glue for cut and paste activities
7. Markers, paper clips, index cards, toothpicks, construction paper, tape, dishwashing liquid, colored rope, yarn, dowels, fishing line, razor blades, chlorine bleach
8. Restriction enzymes (Lambda phage), freeze-dried and sterile samples of E. coli
9. Blenders, centrifuge
10. Chemical supplies (acetic acid, sulfuric acid, acetyl aldehyde, diphenylamine, ethanol, luria broth, E. coli suspension medium, sodium dodecyl sulfate, gel agarose matrix, buffer, methylene blue, glycerine)

11. Eye droppers, inoculating loops
12. Plastic 2-liter soda bottles (20-30)
13. Rubber gasket or rings
14. Apple jacks, fruit loops
15. Disposable pipets and macropipets, pipet bulbs or pumps

16. Petri dishes, baby-food jars
17. Bunsen burners
18. Fast plants, potato plants, onions, bananas, African violet plants
19. Plasmid pUC19 DNA
20. Agar plates with and without ampicillin

21. Materials for making sterilizing hoods
22. Power supplies for electrophoresis
23. Home pregnancy test kits
24. Access to periodicals

Alternative Suggestions and Comments [top of page]

This curriculum is formatted for a 70 minute trimester schedule (each trimester runs 12 weeks). As mentioned, we have many activities, all of which we could not fit into one trimester. This is done to allow flexibility in the curriculum. Our tentative plan for the 1997-1998 school year is as follows (see the outline for specifics):

Week 1: Introduction and DNA Structure and Significance

Week 2: mRNA, tRNA and Proteins: basics of genetics

Week 3: Mendelian Genetics and Gene Splicing

Week 4: Genetic Engineering and Gene Splicing

Week 5: Interaction of Bacteria and Plants

Week 6: Transformation in plants and animals

Week 7: Electrophoresis and DNA sequencing

Week 8: Immunology and Biotechnology

Week 9: Ethical and Moral Issues

Week 10: Risk Analysis and Interpreting the Media

Week 11: Careers in Biotechnology

Week 12: Review, tie up loose ends, debate, and test

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