MODULE 2
Objective 2.4 Lesson B
Bioinformatics
Understanding Disease
Course
Advanced
Biotechnology
Rationale
Bioinformatics tools are used by scientist to better understand the pathology,
inheritance, and treatments of certain diseases.
Unit
DNA Analysis
Objectives
Students will:
• Learn about a genetic disorder and its associated gene.
• Identify mutations that cause the disorder.
• Examine the gene’s sequence and structure.
• Explore the 3D structure of the gene’s protein product.
• Locate scientific publications and biological databases sequences on
the Internet.
• Retrieve and compare sequence information from databases.
• Study protein structure and function from database comparisons.
Essential
Question
How can
bioinformatics
tools be used to
understand
diseases?
TEKS
130.364 2A, 2H,
2J, 3A-E, 4B,
6G
TAKS
Science 2A, 2C,
2D, 3A
Prior Student
Learning
DNA structure,
proteins,
chromosomes,
traits, genome,
protein structure
Key Point
I. See Lesson 2 Objective 4 Power Point
Engage
 Order the poster “Human Genome Landmarks” for free at
http://public.ornl.gov/hgmis/external/poster_request.cfm or access
individual chromosomes at
http://public.ornl.gov/hgmis/gallery/gallery.cfm?topic=47
• Display chromosomes, and discuss with students what a
chromosome map is.

Assign students a reading from “Computing Life”:
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/computinglife/computing_life.pdf
Estimated Time
Each activity will
take 1.5-3 hours
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.
Activity
The 3 activities below give real-world applications to using bioinformatics in
understanding disease. C hose on e f or the whole c lass or assign e ach
case to a different group. Students can then present their findings to the
class.
i. Sickle Cell: Lab Unit 15 “Bioinformatics Translation Exercise” (1.5
hours to complete)
ii. Adrenoleukodystrophy: “Using Biology Student Workbench” to
Determine Effects of DNA Mutations on a Target Protein –
‘Lorenzo’s Disease’ ” (1.5 hours to complete)
iii. Hemochromatosis: The “Gene Gateway” Workbook
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chro
mosome/ggworkbook2.pdf (3 hours to complete)
Assessment
• Students answer questions associated with each activity.
• Assess on exam by asking how bioinformatics had aided in the
understanding of (insert disease).
• Have students chose their own disease t o research and present
finding t o the class.
Materials
• Handout: Lab Unit 15 “Bioinformatics Translation Exercise”
•
Handout: “Using Biology Student Workbench to Determine Effects
of DNA Mutations on a Target Protein – ‘Lorenzo’s Disease’ ”
•
The “Gene Gateway” Workbook downloaded at
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/posters/chro
mosome/ggworkbook2.pdf
Accommodations for Learning Difference
 Visit the Special Populations section of the CTE Career and
Technical Education Website: http://cte.unt.edu/special-pops.
National and State Education Standards
Texas College and Career Readiness Standards
Science
I. A1, A2, A3, A4
III. A1, B1, B3, B4, D1
IV. A1, B1
VI. C1, D1, D3
Copyright © Texas Education Agency 2012. All rights reserved.