Friday, May 13, 2011

Extra activity - Genetics on the news

Students searched the news outlets for recent genetics-related articles and selected one to discuss with their classmates.  In class they met in groups of six students, commented the highlights of each article, critiqued it, and chose two to share with the rest of the class.

There was a prominence of human molecular genetics articles, mainly on the health care field.  Pharmacogenomics seems to be a field of research on the rise, or at least it seems to be catching the attention of the broad public.  Here's a list of the articles students discussed in class:


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Lecture, chapter 13 - Cloning and recombinant DNA

Today we finished the chapter in cloning and recombinant DNA technology with a brief and basic overview of two of the classic techniques to analyze DNA: Southern blotting and DNA sequencing (through the dye-terminator sequencing method, a modification of the Sanger method).


We also had the last bioethics presentation and panel discussion.  Click here for details.

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Lab quiz 02

Today we had our second lab quiz. Stats:
(I wrote this entry on Wednesday, May 11... What's happening to Blogger?!?!?!?!?!)


(click on pic for full size image)

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Bioethics presentations and panel discussions

Today students did a presentation of their bioethics papers and conducted panel discussions (on genetics-related topics that generate social, moral, or political controversy). The following topics were presented:
  1. In vitro fertilization - Courtney, Jenny, Kwaku, Marcus
  2. Genetic predisposition to alcoholism - Danielle L., Veronica, Caleb, Justin
  3. Designer babies - Jeniffer, Liz, Salesha, Sarah
  4. Genetically modified (GM) crops - Alex, Andre, Kevin, Mark
  5. Xenotransplantation - Anabel, Jessica, Kara, Megan
  6. Research using HeLa cells - Lindsay, Ben, Brent, Jordan
  7. Human-animal chimeras - Andie, Danielle H., Kirstin, Maggie (on Friday, May 13)
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Monday, May 9, 2011

Lecture, chapter 13 - Cloning and recombinant DNA
including the PCR song

Today we discussed how to use the process of cloning for building genomic library (a collection of clones containing the entire genome of an organism).  We mentioned how to find a gene, or any other sequence of interest by using labeled probes and the process to visualize the results.

Then we did an overview of the process of cloning in vitro: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR).  We mentioned the steps and some of the key ingredients, explaining why under many circumstances doing PCR is much more efficient and cheaper than cloning.

I am including a video of the PCR song, which has helped many of my molecular biology students remember the main features of the reaction.  The PCR song highlights:
  • Who invented PCR
  • The main reagents of PCR
  • The steps of the thermal cycle
  • Some important applications of PCR

Some students have even used the song as a ringtone... (Warning: Cheesy!)




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