SMED Cohort DNA Primer/Resources July 2012
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July 20, 2012
Welcome SMED Cohort members.
My name is Kari van Zee, and I work at OSU as the Program Coordinator for the STEPs (Scientists and
Teachers in Education Partnerships) Program. I also am an instructor in the Biochemistry-Biophysics
Department and co-teach the undergraduate lab series BB493/494 for the BB Department. Through
the STEPs program and in collaboration with Carole Beedlow, I have hosted DNA and biotechnology
workshops for in-service teachers, members of the community, and students for many years and have
a lending library of equipment available to classroom teachers. I am working with Ron Gray and
Carole Beedlow this summer to help organize the DNA camps you will be leading for middle school
and high school students. As we had to create a camp description to recruit students and obtain
materials in advance of your arrival, we have put much of the structure in place for the schedule and
activities. The activities can be tailored to meet the level of your audience, and your own
interests/learning objectives. and work well at middle and high school levels. I will be out of town
July 28-Aug 4 and will miss your first week on campus. I will be back and available to work with you
during the camps. I am also happy to be a resource to you during the year.
As we know that each of you will have different levels of experience in DNA biotechnology, we are
putting together a primer and list of resources you can use to either review or learn about the topics
you will guide the students through. During the week of the middle school camp, we have scheduled
time in the afternoons to talk about the more advanced labs we’ll be doing in the high school session.
Hope this helps.
I look forward to meeting and working with each of you when I return.
Kari van Zee
vanzeek@science.oregonstate.edu
541-737-1773
Descriptions of BIOCamps with STEM Academy at OSU: so you have a feel for what kinds
of topics you will be covering.
Ron and Carole will provided a more detailed schedule during your first week on
campus.
Fun with DNA (middle school, Aug. 6-10, 9 am -12 noon) Students will immerse themselves in
activities and experiments designed to build a strong foundation in cell biology, genetics,
biotechnology, and microbiology. Through model-making, microscope observations, and
laboratories – including DNA extraction and genetic engineering – participants build an
understanding of cell biology, microbiology, genetics, and biotechnology.
Activities will include:
 Constructing cell and DNA models
SMED Cohort DNA Primer/Resources July 2012
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Using compound microscopes to view various cell types
Extract DNA from their own cells and from plants
Explore gel electrophoresis and how it can be used to separate dyes and DNA molecules
to make a fingerprint
Talks and lab tours with scientists at OSU: Anne-Marie Girard, Caprice Rosato in The
Center for Genome Research (Confocal Microscope and DNA Sequencing Core Lab), and
a tour of DNA and proteins in 3-D with Dr. Hsu, Biochemistry Department
World of DNA: (high school, Aug. 13-17th, 9 am -12 noon) Students will explore recombinantDNA techniques used throughout the research and biotechnology community to study gene
function. Students will learn techniques used in DNA analysis including restriction enzyme
analysis, gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and bacterial
transformation. Participants will use PCR to make mutations in the jelly fish gene for green
fluorescent protein.
Resources/Primer
Topics to cover/understand:
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DNA structure-helix, base pairs, sugar phosphate backbone, gene, chromosome
Structure of a Cell—organelles and their function. Animal and plant cells.
Central Dogma: DNA to RNA to proteins
Protein Structure
What mutations are
Molecular Biology Tools: Microscopes, polymerase chain reaction, plasmids, restriction
enzymes, site-directed mutagenesis, agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing
Web-based:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/ Learn Genetics at the University of Utah has an excellent set of “Basics”
on DNA structure, DNA to proteins and Cell Biology as well as many lessons and activities. This would be
a great place to start.
http://www.dnalc.org/ Dolan DNA Learning Center hosted by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories
http://www.genome.gov/25520211 “Our Molecular Selves” with link to You-Tube video National
Human Genome Research Institute.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA Wikipedia page on DNA structure
SMED Cohort DNA Primer/Resources July 2012
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Bio-Rad Kit Manuals (3 pdf sections attached to email)
Bio-Rad makes excellent molecular biology classroom kits as part of its Explorer Program. While these
kits can be pricey for schools with limited budgets and multiple sections, they are a great resource for
workshop settings and our camp,. The background material in the kit manual is usually very well
written. I have saved portions of three different Bio-Rad manuals as pdfs and will ask Ron to send these
to you electronically. We will use the DNA Fingerprint kit with the middle school camp. The high school
camp will include polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing, but not from these Bio-Rad kits-we
will use a different lab developed at UCSD.
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DNA restriction enzymes
Polymerase Chain Reaction
DNA sequencing
Text book—will be provided for each cohort member.
Molecular Biology and Biotechnology: A Guide for Teachers, Third Edition. Helen Kreuzer and
Adrianne Massey, 2008.
This book is an excellent resource for teachers. We will use several of the paper and dry lab activities.
The book includes background, activities, a CD with the activity worksheets/templates. We have
purchased a copy for each of you. The books will be in the Science and Math Ed Office by Monday, July
23rd. If you are already in town or close by, feel free to stop by and pick up your copy. Otherwise you
will receive it when you arrive. The book’s : Part 1 Laying the Foundation, Chapters 1-5 are excellent.