Teacher Notes for Activity 3: DNA Microarray–Hands-on Laboratory Exercise
This unit utilizes a commercially available kit to demonstrate microarray technology. As the
instructor, the critical component of this activity will be to adapt the kit components to the
scenario of coral reef genetics. The kit and the worksheets included with it will be in regards to
the genetic differences between normal and cancerous cells. Your scenario will look at the
difference between normal and “stressed out” coral reef cells. You will want to ensure that your
students can make some correlations between the genes that may be involved in a stress
response to the results the kit will provide. Each gene being “tested” in the scenario is a real
gene found in species of cnidarians. Using real genes allows the instructor the opportunity to
talk about or review the major functions of the genes:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Controlled cell death (apoptosis)
Cytokinesis
Spindle formation during mitosis
Glucose catabolism
Translation of proteins in the ribosome
Cellular communication and signal transduction pathways
Results should suggest that “stressed-out” corals are deficient in translation, metabolism or cell
division and may have up regulation of p53 indicating apoptosis. Kit components can be easily
adapted by the instructor to fit the course curriculum.
Equipment List
Carolina Labs DNA Chips: Genes to Disease Lab Kit Catalog #211520
(http://www.carolina.com/product/dna+chips+genes+to+disease+kit.do?keyword=211520&sortby=bestMatches)
Kit components:
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Glass Slides
Simulated Hybridization Solution
6 Simulated cDNA Solutions
Instructions
Alternately to the kit, instructors may choose to make their own microarrays or have the
students make their own (caution: time consuming). Instructions can be found online at
http://biotech.biology.arizona.edu/labs/Arab_micro_tg.html
Water bath
Micropipette (if micropipettes are not available, plastic pipettes or bottle droppers can be used)
Disposable micropipette tips
Activity 3 Teacher Notes
Page 1 of 2
Contextual Biology Integrated Projects
Created by the Center for Occupational Research and Development
http://www.cordonline.net/HiESTbiology
Teacher Laboratory Preparation:
Unwrap kit components and melt dropper bottles #1-6 in boiling water for several minutes and
then maintain at 60-65 degrees in a hot water bath. Melting may take approximately 30
minutes. During heating, vent the tubes to release pressurization.
Two student procedures are included depending on whether micropipettes are available for
student use.
Student procedure A: Uses micropipettes
Student procedure B: Uses dropper bottle
Expected Results:
Gene 1 (p 53): expressed by stressed
Gene 2 (actin): expressed by both
Gene 3 (tubulin alpha chain): expressed by normal
Gene 4 ( ATP synthase): expressed by none
Gene 5 (60s ribosomal protein): weakly expressed by stressed
Gene 6 (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV): weakly expressed by normal
Activity 3 Teacher Notes
Page 2 of 2
Contextual Biology Integrated Projects
Created by the Center for Occupational Research and Development
http://www.cordonline.net/HiESTbiology