Graduate Fellow Sam Lasse & Teacher Partner Don Mackay

High Tech High students use fluorescent protein technology to investigate DNA damage by UV light.

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The Project

The DNA Damage Project brings a biotechnology experience to high school students. In this project students become scientists as they design experiments, test hypotheses, analyze data, and interpret results. Using a strain of yeast engineered to glow green when they incur DNA damage, students investigate the detrimental effects that UV light has on DNA. They then extend their research to compare fabric types and colors to determine the best type of clothing to protect skin cells on a sunny day. During the DNA Damage Project students work in collaborative groups to perform the inquiry based activities. Students are also provided with opportunities for group reflection and reconsideration of experimental strategies. The project is completed with student construction of a research poster documenting their experiment's purpose, experimental design, results, and greater implications. Originally designed as an 8 week twice a week after-school activity, portions of the DNA Damage Project can be modified for use in a typical high school Biology course. The DNA Damage Project was piloted by Sam Lasse and Don Mackay with an after-school group of high school students at High Tech High International in San Diego, CA.

 

Learning Objectives

1. Students will formulate questions about UV light
2. Given a question students will be able to formulate a hypothesis
3. Given a hypothesis students will be able to design basic experiments to test the hypothesis, including positive and negative controls
4. Given a strain of yeast that produces GFP in response to DNA damage, students will design experiments to test the effectiveness of UV protective items such as fabric or sunglasses
5. Students will develop skills of growing and transforming bacteria
6. Students will develop skills of growing and maintaining yeast strains

Syllabus

Week 1

Day 1 Introductions and Spitting Image of DNA (engagement)
Day 2 Fact or Fiction? How to test a claim (assessment of prior knowledgde)

Week 2

Day 3 Are Baker's Yeast Alive?
Day 4 Are Baker's Yeast Alive?

Week 3

Day 5 ScienceBridge Bacterial Transformation with GFP
Day 6 DNA mutations, GFP Mutagenesis Day 1 (pick GFP colonies)

Week 4

Day 7 GFP Mutagenesis Day 2 (Bacterial dilution)
Day 8 GFP Mutagenesis Day 3 (UV Mutagenesis)

Week 5

Day 9 GFP Mutagenesis Day 4 (Pick DGFP colonies), DNA Damage Project Day1 (planning)
Day 10 GFP Mutagenesis Day 5 (Analyze GFP sequence for mutations)

Week 6

Day 11 DNA Damage Project Day 2 (Planning and gathering of materials)
Day 12 DNA Damage Project Day 3 (Experiments)

Week 7

Day 13 DNA Damage Project Day 4 (Experiments)
Day 14 DNA Damage Project Day 5 (Experiments)

Week 8

Day 15 DNA Damage Project Day 6 (Product Planning)
Day 16 DNA Damage Project Day 7 (Final Construction of the Product)

Each day is designed for a 45 minute class period. This project was piloted using only two days per week, but can be adapted for more or less frequent implementations.

The DNA Damage Project was made possible by donations from:

• UVP
• Sunrise Science Products "High quality defined and rich media formulations for yeast."
• Sean Palecek, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
• Michael Benton, Louisiana State University, Department of Chemical Engineering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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