Tila Hidalgo, Hastings High School, Alief ISD, AP Biology, Grades 11-12, 13-day lesson plan
End of Summer Report
The core elements being used in my mentor, Dr. Chen’s lab are that of genetic
engineering and protein purification. They are engineering proteins in bacteria for specific
purposes, and then using the bacteria to produce those proteins. They then purify the proteins
to use in lab tests. I already incorporate many of the ideas in genetic engineering in my AP
Biology class, but will be extending into protein purification for my class project. In addition to
lab and research skills the following College Board objectives will be used.
Essential knowledge 4.A.1: The subcomponents of biological molecules and their sequence
determine the properties of that molecule.
Essential knowledge 2.B.2: Growth and dynamic homeostasis are maintained by the constant
movement of molecules across membranes.
Essential knowledge 3.A.1: DNA, and in some cases RNA, is the primary source of heritable
information.
Essential knowledge 3.C.1: Changes in genotype can result in changes in phenotype.
d. Phenotypes are determined through protein activities.
To foster student understanding of this concept, instructors can choose an
illustrative example such as:

Enzymatic reactions

Transport by proteins
Tila Hidalgo, Hastings High School, Alief ISD, AP Biology, Grades 11-12, 13-day lesson plan

Synthesis

Degradation
e. Genetic engineering techniques can manipulate the heritable information of DNA
and, in special cases, RNA.
To foster student understanding of this concept, instructors can choose an
illustrative example such as:

Electrophoresis

Plasmid-based transformation

Restriction enzyme analysis of DNA

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Protein Purification Objective: Students in groups will research, develop and implement and
present a protocol to purify a protein produced by transformed bacteria.
Students will engage in the following to complete their project:
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Independent activities
Cooperative learning
Visuals
Whole group instruction
Technology integration
A project
Lecture
Lab
Tila Hidalgo, Hastings High School, Alief ISD, AP Biology, Grades 11-12, 13-day lesson plan
Day 1
•
Pre-test
•
Teacher lecture introducing the project and presenting my summer E3 experience and
engineering as a field of study.
•
Homework assignment: Identify units we have studied throughout the year that
connect to my summer research. What ways is your life better because of what
engineers do?
Day 2-3
 Students will perform the bacterial transformation. I plan to use the Biorad pGlo
transformation.
Day 4-6. Research days.
I want students to do a literature review of protein purification. They will do this in the
library using the internet to access journals. They will use this to write a presentation
answering the questions:
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Why is protein purification important?
•
What are ways that it is done?
•
What are limitations to these protocols?
•
What properties of the pGlo protein could be used to purify it?
•
What is your proposed protocol to purify pGlo?
Tila Hidalgo, Hastings High School, Alief ISD, AP Biology, Grades 11-12, 13-day lesson plan
•
The protocol will include a cost projection, specific steps to follow to
purify the protein, and a method to calculate a percent yield.
Day 7-8- “Lab Meeting”
•
Students will present their findings, and after will develop a final protocol to purify the
pGlo.
•
The collective answer should be that the cells need to by lysed, and using the
hydrophobic properties of the pGlo protein it can be purified on a column that
address that property.
•
Methods of cell lysis can vary from group to group as well as specific reagents to
wash and elute the protein, but they should all have common chemical
properties.
•
I will purchase a kit from biorad, and will make necessary material available to
students, but they design their own protocol to purify the protein.
Day 9-11. Protein Purification.
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Students will perform their experiments.
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They will then analyze their results using electrophoresis, and calculate a percent yield.
Day 12-13
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Final Presentations
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Class discussion
Tila Hidalgo, Hastings High School, Alief ISD, AP Biology, Grades 11-12, 13-day lesson plan
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Post Test
I expect my students to do and present a power point that will address their process in
developing, executing and evaluating their protocol. I will also ask them to make a class
decision on what group designed the best protein purification protocol and support that
decision with evidence.
Project Rubric
Requirement
Points
Methods Clearly Stated
20
Quantative and Qualative Data was included. (picture of the
gel and yield)
20
Cost of protocol/g of product
10
Percent yield calculated
10
Error analysis (where can your project be improved and why?
What would your next step be?)
20
Citation, organization, general presentation
10
OER
What was the best protocol, or mixture of protocols to purify the pGlo protein? Why?