deboodschappenwijzer.nl
  • Home
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Heatlh
  • Interior Design
No Result
View All Result
HealthNews
No Result
View All Result
Home Heatlh

CRISPR in the Classroom – The New York Times

pittigbakkie by pittigbakkie
29/06/2022
in Heatlh
0
CRISPR in the Classroom – The New York Times
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A decade after CRISPR started to become a major tool in genetic research, a new generation of scientists is growing up with the technology. Even high school students are able to run CRISPR experiments. Some specialized public high schools teach CRISPR as a hands-on lesson in biotechnology. These classes cover everything from molecular biology to pipetting to biomedical ethics and career options.

Visualizing Tiny Molecules

“Visualizing and comprehending what’s happening on the molecular level is usually always the challenge,” said Katy Gazda, a high school biotechnology teacher who taught CRISPR in her classroom last year. To help students better understand complex molecular movements, teachers use tools like paper models, 3-D printed models and online animations.







Note: Diagram is simplified.

1. Target the right gene

Scientists engineer a piece of RNA that is a match for the DNA they want to edit. This is called the guide RNA. Students can practice designing their own guide RNA sequences using the same free bioinformatics search tool that scientists use for research.

2. Bind the target

An enzyme called Cas9 binds to a piece of DNA and temporarily unwinds a section of the DNA. Students can model the process with paper cutouts, pushing a paper DNA sequence along a printed guide RNA until they match.

3. Cut the DNA

If the guide RNA matches a section of the DNA, the Cas9 enzyme cuts both strands of the DNA double helix. An interactive animation from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute shows students how the Cas9 enzyme changes its shape and snips through the DNA.





Repaired DNA with edited section

DNA fragments cut by Cas9

DNA fragments cut by Cas9

Repaired DNA with edited section


Note: Diagrams are simplified.

4. Repair and edit the DNA

Machinery inside the cell rushes to fix the broken DNA. One repair process uses a similar-looking, unbroken piece of DNA as a template to stitch the broken pieces back together.

Scientists can introduce tailor-made DNA into the cell — tricking the repair machinery into using the engineered DNA as the template for stitching together the broken pieces.

Students also learn about real-life examples of DNA editing, such as therapies for genetic illnesses including sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis. In some exercises, they can see examples of the actual DNA sequence associated with each illness and evaluate specific gene edits proposed to cure the illness.

Hands-On Gene Editing With Bacteria

Ms. Gazda believes that hands-on lab lessons help students “open their minds to the idea that they can truly be a scientist.” Several companies sell CRISPR curriculum kits to high schools and universities. One kit from Bio-Rad, a life science technology manufacturer, includes a prepackaged experiment using E. coli bacteria.





Bacteria Altered With CRISPR

E. coli

bacteria colonies

Petri

dishes full of

bacteria food

Petri

dish full of

bacteria food

Bacteria Altered With CRISPR

Petri

dish full of

bacteria food


Bacteria Without CRISPR





A gene in the bacteria encodes an enzyme, called ß-gal, which can help break down certain molecules.

A bright blue color appears when X-gal is broken down by ß-gal.

A gene in the bacteria encodes an enzyme, called ß-gal, which can help break down certain molecules.

A bright blue color

appears when X-gal is

broken down by ß-gal.


Note: Diagrams and molecule names are simplified.

The E. coli bacteria used in the Bio-Rad kit are grown on a food mixture that includes a compound called X-gal. Normally, these bacteria are able to use an enzyme to break down the compound into two parts: a sugar molecule and an indicator molecule.

The indicator molecule turns deep blue, showing students that the bacterial enzyme is working. This colorful display is an important part of the experiment. It shows students what to expect in an unaltered, or “control” group — a vital part of any scientific experiment.

Bacteria Altered With CRISPR





The ß-gal enzyme is not produced.

The X-gal compound cannot be broken down without the ß-gal enzyme, so the bright blue indicator molecule is never produced.

After the students use CRISPR to transform a section of the gene, the gene is no longer functional.

After the students use CRISPR to transform a section of the gene, the gene is no longer functional.

The ß-gal enzyme is not produced. The X-gal compound cannot be broken down without the ß-gal enzyme, so the bright blue indicator molecule is never produced.


Note: Diagrams and molecule names are simplified.

The process of altering E. coli DNA with CRISPR involves lab techniques like pipetting liquids and carefully moving bacteria colonies. Teaching a new lab class like CRISPR can be intimidating, says Gregory Jubulis, a high school science teacher who uses the Bio-Rad kit in his biotechnology class. “It takes you a few years before you’re real comfortable with teaching something,” he said.

But when classroom CRISPR lab kits first became available, he knew he wanted to teach it. “I just want my kids to be ready for the future of science,” he said.

Not Just About The Molecules

Ms. Gazda uses lab classes as an opportunity to share career options with students. In a CRISPR lab, students may learn about careers in anything from molecular and cellular biology to entrepreneurship and science journalism.

“Ethics always comes up,” says Mr. Jubulis, explaining how he relates the lab experiment to real-life CRISPR applications like gene therapy. Many of his students have friends or family with genetic illnesses, so the topic can be deeply personal.

Previous Post

Crustaceancore is summer’s next big homes trend

Next Post

My Murad Summer Skin Faves and 30% Off | AD

pittigbakkie

pittigbakkie

Next Post
My Murad Summer Skin Faves and 30% Off | AD

My Murad Summer Skin Faves and 30% Off | AD

Discussion about this post

Recommended

Uncover Consumer Insights with Google Trends

Uncover Consumer Insights with Google Trends

7 months ago
Masquespacio designs “metaverse world” for Mango Teen store

Masquespacio designs “metaverse world” for Mango Teen store

9 months ago

Don't Miss

Feng shui reveals 3 things to never see from your front door

Feng shui reveals 3 things to never see from your front door

05/06/2023
How a Retreat Can Rest and Refresh Your Brain

How a Retreat Can Rest and Refresh Your Brain

05/06/2023
Camille Walala takes colourful style to the max in self-designed studio

Camille Walala takes colourful style to the max in self-designed studio

05/06/2023
How to Be Friends With Your Sibling

How to Be Friends With Your Sibling

05/06/2023
  • Contact
  • De boodschappenwijzer
  • Home 1
  • Home 2
  • Home 3
  • Home 4
  • Home 5
  • Partners

© 2022 Deboodschappenwijzer.nl

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Heatlh
  • Interior Design

© 2022 Deboodschappenwijzer.nl