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Teaching Genetics and Molecular Biology Using Lactose Intolerance
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6. Central Dogma and Genetic Medicine
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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
116 Users
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View in Spanish

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

Download Resource Google Folder (link)
Download Student Worksheet (PDF) 895 KB
Download Transcript (PDF) 225 KB
Download Desktop App - macOS 10.10 or later, 64-bit (ZIP) 117 MB
Download Desktop App - Windows 7 or later, 64-bit (ZIP)
Download Student Worksheet — Español (PDF) 297 KB
Download Transcript — Español (PDF) 209 KB

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Building a Paper Model of CRISPR-Cas9
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Translation (Basic Detail)
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Translation (Advanced Detail)
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Triplet Code
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Building Blocks of DNA
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Coding Sequences in DNA
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Human Chromosomes
Image from the video showing RNA as a strip of paper
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RNA Splicing
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Paired DNA Strands
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DNA Transcription (Basic Detail)
Computer image of transcription from the video
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DNA Transcription (Advanced Detail)
Title screen of the film
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The Double Helix
Illustration of DNA transcription from the activity
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“Fixing” Gene Expression

Other Resources About CRISPR

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

Other Related Resources

Showing of
Image of the CRISPR Cas9 molecules from the interactive
Click & Learn
CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism & Applications
Computer image of DNA from the interactive
Click & Learn
RNA Interference
Illustration of DNA transcription from the activity
Card Activities
“Fixing” Gene Expression
Illustration of DNA from the video
Animations
Seeing Single Molecules Move
Computer image of DNA
Animations
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Image from the interactive
Click & Learn
Visualizing Gene-Expression Patterns
Computer model of DNA replication
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Trinucleotide Repeat
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
Image from the film of a man looking into an eyesight device
Scientists at Work
The Search for a Mutated Gene

This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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Teaching Genetics and Molecular Biology Using Lactose Intolerance
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By: BioInteractive
Teaching Gene Expression Using Genetic Medicine
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Teaching the Central Dogma Using the Rock Pocket Mouse and Genetic Medicine
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