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Using CRISPR to Identify the Functions of Butterfly Genes

Photo of a painted lady butterfly

Topic

  • Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • DNA & RNA
  • Biotechnology
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Data Analysis

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Lessons

Level

High School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
21 Users
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Description

In this activity, students explore using CRISPR-Cas9 to knock out butterfly genes in order to determine their function. 

Students first learn how CRISPR-Cas9 identifies and alters a target sequence in DNA. They then design their own CRISPR-Cas9 system to inactivate a butterfly gene and examine the resulting phenotype. The activity includes an optional exercise in which students apply what they have learned to determine the function of a different gene. This activity can be used to review concepts of sequence complementarity, genotype-to-phenotype connections, and mutations.

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

  • Identify complementary nucleotide sequences to plan the design of a biotechnology tool.
  • Interpret the connection between genotype and phenotype for a particular trait.

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods.

Key Terms

base pairing, complementary sequence, exon, gene inactivation, gene knockout, guide RNA, intron, nuclease, optix, phenotype

Primary Literature

Zhang, Linlin, Anyi Mazo-Vargas, and Robert D. Reed. “Single master regulatory gene coordinates the evolution and development of butterfly color and iridescence.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114, 40 (2017): 10707–10712. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1709058114. 

Zhang, Linlin and Robert D. Reed. “Genome editing in butterflies reveals that spalt promotes and Distal-less represses eyespot colour patterns.” Nature Communications 7, 1 (2016): 11769. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms11769.
 

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.

Version History

Date Published 02.26.20
Date Updated 04.13.20

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS3-1, HS-LS3-2

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1.L, IST-1.N, IST-1.P, IST-2.E, IST-3.F, IST-4.A; SP1, SP2, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

2.6, 2.7, 3.5, 7.2

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.3

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2, CC3

Materials

Resource Google Folder (link)
Educator Materials (PDF) 379 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 2 MB
Butterfly Photos (PDF) 738 KB

Use This Resource With

Interactive Media Resource
CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism & Applications

Related Science News

Science Says: Gene editing widely used in range of research
Chinese researcher claims first gene-edited babies
Doctors try CRISPR gene editing for cancer, a 1st in the US
A gene-editing first: scientists tried CRISPR to fight HIV
Doctors try 1st CRISPR editing in the body for blindness

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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