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Central Dogma and Genetic Medicine

Start Interactive
Illustration of RNA translation

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • DNA & RNA
  • Biotechnology
  • Genetics
  • Gene Expression & Regulation
  • Genetic Disease

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
3 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
98 Users
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Description

This interactive module uses the central dogma as a model for exploring how modern molecular biology technologies can be used to treat different genetic conditions.

The Click & Learn describes different steps in the pathways from gene to RNA to protein. It also provides information about a treatment strategy that targets each step, and an example of a genetic disease for which that strategy has been shown to work, either in experimental models or human clinical trials. The examples include treatments for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and Huntington’s disease, and are supplemented by video clips from the documentary The Gene Doctors, an HHMI Tangled Bank Studios Production.

The accompanying worksheet guides students’ exploration.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Describe the steps of gene expression and what happens in each. 
  • Describe how different types of genetic medicine can be used to treat various genetic conditions. 
  • Apply the information provided to propose a genetic medicine that could be used to treat a different disease.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

CRISPR-Cas9, exon skipping, gene switch, gene therapy, protein processing, replication, RNA interference (RNAi), splicing, transcription, translation

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Interactive media meets criteria.

Version History

Date Published 10.10.17
Date Updated 02.02.21

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-1, HS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-2; SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

EVO-2.A, IST-1.B, IST-1.K, IST-1.N, IST-1.O, IST-1.P, IST-2.D, IST-2.E, IST-4.A, IST-4.B, SYI-1.C, SYI-3.C; SP1, SP2, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 7.2, 7.3, B.4

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.2; ELA.WHST.9-12.9
MP2, MP3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC3; DP1

Materials

Resource Google Folder (link)
Student Worksheet (PDF) 895 KB
Desktop App - macOS 10.10 or later, 64-bit (ZIP) 117 MB

Related Science News

Lab-made “mini organs” helping doctors treat cystic fibrosis
Officials remove special rules for gene therapy experiments
In a milestone year, gene therapy finds its place in medicine
Doctors use HIV in gene therapy to fix ‘bubble boy’ disease
Mutation that protects against HIV raises death rate
A gene-editing first: scientists tried CRISPR to fight HIV
Doctors try CRISPR gene editing for cancer, a 1st in the US
Doctors try 1st CRISPR editing in the body for blindness

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About the Central Dogma

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Labs & Demos
Building a Paper Model of CRISPR-Cas9
Photos of different colored mice on different colored terrains
Lessons
What Causes Different Fur Colors?
Illustration of DNA transcription from the activity
Card Activities
“Fixing” Gene Expression
Computer image of DNA
Animations
The Chemical Structure of DNA
Photo from the video showing A, C, G, and T
Animations
Building Blocks of DNA
Image from the video
Animations
Coding Sequences in DNA
Diagram of a DNA sequence on a sheet of paper
Animations
Human Chromosomes
Image from the video showing RNA as a strip of paper
Animations
RNA Splicing
Computer image of DNA unwound
Animations
Paired DNA Strands
Computer image of transcription from the video
Animations
DNA Transcription (Basic Detail)
Computer image of transcription from the video
Animations
DNA Transcription (Advanced Detail)
Computer image of a protein being produced
Animations
Translation (Basic Detail)
Computer image of translation showing ribosomal sites
Animations
Translation (Advanced Detail)
Image from the video showing how ACGT make up triplet codes
Animations
Triplet Code
Title screen of the film
Short Films
The Double Helix

Other Resources About CRISPR

Showing of
Photo of the paper model in action
Labs & Demos
Building a Paper Model of CRISPR-Cas9
Photo of a painted lady butterfly
Lessons
Using CRISPR to Identify the Functions of Butterfly Genes
Photo of a butterfly wing
Lessons
Winging It: Analyzing a Scientific Paper
Image of the CRISPR Cas9 molecules from the interactive
Click & Learn
CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism & Applications

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image of the CRISPR Cas9 molecules from the interactive
Click & Learn
CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism & Applications
Illustration of DNA transcription from the activity
Card Activities
“Fixing” Gene Expression
Computer image of DNA from the interactive
Click & Learn
RNA Interference
Computer model of DNA replication
Animations
Trinucleotide Repeat
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Visualizing Gene-Expression Patterns
Illustration of DNA from the video
Animations
Seeing Single Molecules Move
Computer image of DNA
Animations
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Computer image of regulation from the video
Animations
Regulation of Eukaryotic DNA Transcription
Image from the video showing RNA as a strip of paper
Animations
RNA Splicing
Illustration of chromosomes with bands representing genes
Interactive Videos
Interactive Case Study for The Search for a Mutated Gene

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