DNA Fingerprinting Lesson Plan Marina Webb Biotechnology Workshop

DNA Fingerprinting Lesson Plan Marina Webb Biotechnology Workshop Hunter College July 27, 2010

The Bronx Latin School • 9 th grade Living Environment • Units covered • Scientific Method, Biochemical Processes, Homeostasis and Immunity, Genetics

NYS Standards 2. 2 c Different enzymes can be used to cut, copy, and move segments of DNA. 2. 2 e Knowledge of genetics is making possible new fields of health care; for example, finding genes which may have mutations that can cause disease will aid in the development of preventive measures to fight disease

Objectives • SWBAT Describe the process and applications of gel electrophoresis • SWBAT predict the pattern of fragments on a gel • SWBAT explain the role of enzymes in DNA analysis

Key Points • Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences producing fragments of different sizes • These fragments can be analyzed on an agarose gel; very similar to jello • When you put the gel in an electric field, DNA will travel to the positive end since it is negatively charged • The distance the fragments travel is dependent on their size; smaller fragments will go further down the gel than larger ones. • This technique has many applications including criminal justice, paternity cases, genetic disease diagnosis, species identification, and more.

Engage Aim: How can enzymes help us solve a crime? • Brain Buster: What are the 4 nucleotide bases in DNA? (Bonus if you include the nucleotide only found in RNA)

explore Restriction Digest and Gel Electrophoresis • Strand 1: T A A T G C C • Strand 2: arrange yourself complementary to Strand 1 • Restriction enzymes: “cut” at your designated area

Pair Activity explain • What is the function of a restriction enzyme? How does it know where to cut? • What happens to the DNA after being exposed to restriction enzymes? We call this a restriction digest, why do you think we use the word digest? • Which fragment was able to travel the furthest? How many base pairs? Which fragment was the slowest? How many base pairs? • Do you notice a pattern? Describe in one sentence the relationship between the size of the fragment and how far it travels.

The Crime Scene elaborate • Someone’s been drinking Ms. Webb’s water… • Students will use the DNA fingerprinting kit to solve the case. The 5 suspects will be 2 students, 2 teachers, and the custodian • Day 1: Restriction digest • Day 2: Agarose gel electrophoresis

Data Analysis • • evaluate While gel is running, analyze data from different gels Go over the applications of gel electrophoresis Answer regents questions If there is time, watch a CSI episode