Studying Human Disease Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Molecular Genetics Laboratory Project

Scientists routinely integrate information from various channels to explore topics under study. We designed a 4-wk undergraduate laboratory module that used a multifaceted approach to study a question in molecular genetics. Specifically, students investigated whether "Caenorhabditis elegans&quo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:CBE life sciences education 2012-06, Vol.11 (2), p.165-179
Main Authors: Cox-Paulson, Elisabeth A, Grana, Theresa M, Harris, Michelle A, Batzli, Janet M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biology
Caenorhabditis elegans - genetics
Cancer
College Science
College Students
Comparative Analysis
Comprehension
Computational Biology
Curriculum
Cytology
Disease - genetics
Diseases
Educational Measurement
Evaluation Methods
Female
Gene Deletion
Genes, Helminth - genetics
Genetics
Genotype
Human Body
Humans
Knowledge
Laboratories
Male
Mental Competency
Models, Animal
Molecular Biology - education
Phenotype
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Prediction
RNA Interference
Science Instruction
Science Laboratories
Self Report
Students
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Scientists routinely integrate information from various channels to explore topics under study. We designed a 4-wk undergraduate laboratory module that used a multifaceted approach to study a question in molecular genetics. Specifically, students investigated whether "Caenorhabditis elegans" can be a useful model system for studying genes associated with human disease. In a large-enrollment, sophomore-level laboratory course, groups of three to four students were assigned a gene associated with either breast cancer ("brc-1"), Wilson disease ("cua-1"), ovarian dysgenesis ("fshr-1"), or colon cancer ("mlh-1"). Students compared observable phenotypes of wild-type "C. elegans" and "C. elegans" with a homozygous deletion in the assigned gene. They confirmed the genetic deletion with nested polymerase chain reaction and performed a bioinformatics analysis to predict how the deletion would affect the encoded mRNA and protein. Students also performed RNA interference (RNAi) against their assigned gene and evaluated whether RNAi caused a phenotype similar to that of the genetic deletion. As a capstone activity, students prepared scientific posters in which they presented their data, evaluated whether "C. elegans" was a useful model system for studying their assigned genes, and proposed future directions. Assessment showed gains in understanding genotype versus phenotype, RNAi, common bioinformatics tools, and the utility of model organisms. (Contains 7 figures and 1 table.)
ISSN:1931-7913
1931-7913
DOI:10.1187/cbe-11-06-0045