Welcome to the NC DNA Day Teachers & Students page, your source for DNA Day classroom activities in the sciences. Our classroom activities were developed by UNC DNA Day ambassadors for high school students. Please visit our resources page for more information regarding the activities.

2009 DNA Day Modules

Pharmacogenetics

In this module students will learn about the concept of 'personalized' medicine, how differences in our genes affect whether a drug will be successful or have serious side effects, and how we can use this information to customize treatments for individual patients.  The students will also participate in a hands-on activity to further demonstrate how subtle genetic differences affect a patient's response to medication.

 

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis is one of the most common childhood, inherited diseases resulting in a shortened life span and a range of debilitating symptoms—including chronic lung infections, and eventual lung failure. An estimated 1 in 22 people of European decent carry a mutated copy of this gene in their genome. The cystic fibrosis module explores this disease from a genetic perspective. Students will learn a real-world example of problems that can occur when DNA is mutated, as well as how the discovery of the mutated gene means hope for those suffering with this disease. Students will also learn how the researchers, doctors, and genetic counselors have discovered the gene, treated patients, and have helped people assess their risk of passing the disease on to their children. This module includes a genetic testing simulation activity, where students determine if an individual carries the mutated gene—hopefully leading to discussions about ethical issues involved with genetic testing.

 

Genes and Disease

This module is designed to help students understand the genetic basis for diseases ranging from simple, single-gene disorders, such as Huntington’s Disease, to complex multi-gene disorders like heart disease, cancer, and Type II diabetes. The following topics will be covered:

• Interplay between genes and environment in causing disease
• How genetic changes can lead to disease
• Punnett squares and pedigree analysis
• How disease genes are identified
• How knowing the genetics of a disease can benefit us

The module will end with a discussion/debate about ethical considerations regarding testing for genetic diseases.

 

Biotechnology and Farming

In this module we will explore the increasing impact of genetics and molecular biology on food production today.  We will look at how changes in DNA can make for healthier and heartier crops, and discuss the ethical issues inherit in making such modifications.  The concepts of restriction enzymes and gene cloning will be covered.

 

Forensics

In the forensics module, students learn how DNA is analyzed by forensic scientists in order to link DNA to a particular individual.  Students learn about restriction digests, gel electrophoresis, and analyzing DNA on an agarose gel. 

 

Immunology (new)

Our immune system is designed to protect us from any potential pathogen that may invade our bodies. How can our bodies anticipate and defend us from pathogens? How do vaccines protect us from infection? Antibodies are proteins that can recognize viruses and bacteria and help the body to fight infection. Like all proteins, antibodies are encoded in the DNA of our cells. The B cells in our body can generate 10^11 different antibodies capable of recognizing any type of pathogen that might invade our body. If the human genome only consists of 30,000 genes, how can we get 100,000,000,000 different antibodies? This module will address these questions and will familiarize students with the following concepts from the North Carolina Standards of Competency:  the immune response, genetics, cell specialization, and communication among cells in an organism.

 

2008 DNA Day Modules

 

Ethic, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI)

Students are broken up into groups and are presented with vignettes that discuss different ethical, legal, or social implications of DNA sequencing or genetic inheritance. Individual groups are then asked to role-play possible scenarios based on the vignettes they have discussed.

 

The Chemistry of DNA

This module will be centered around the extremely significant DNA reaction, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Through PCR, the students will learn about chemical reactions and catalysis, as well as DNA structure and bonding.  An activity ‘enacting’ PCR is designed to get the class moving, and will be followed by a discussion on intellectual property and discovery rights.  We hope that learning about PCR will help students understand the fundamental relationships between chemistry and biology, and the impact of science on society in general.  This module is designed to integrate with the North Carolina State requirements in chemistry as well as biology. This module was specifically designed for Chemistry Classes.

 

Human Genome Project

Students will discuss the reasons behind and the implications of the Human Genome Project.  A review of DNA structure and sequencing is presented.  Students will engage in a short mock DNA sequencing activity and explore the outcomes of the completed genome such as personalized medicine, tracing the roots of human history, and uncovering how cells are function, as well as the ethical and legal consequences such as the privatization of the genome, gene patenting, healthcare and insurance issues.

 

SNPs

With 3 billion base pairs in the human genome, the possibility for genetic variation is virtually endless. This module will cover how as few as one base pair change between people can cause a major difference. Advanced and beginning students will learn about novel changes to the field of biology as it pertains to single nucleotide polymorphisms, or put simply, a change in base pairs between different people, and their implications on society.

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