We all know that genetics is used to study inheritance of disease, but what else can it do? What do we know about genetics and what is there still left to learn? And, how do you get the money to do the experiments needed to learn those things? In this unit, you will study some of the current work being done with genetics in Dr. Reade Roberts' genetics lab at North Carolina State University, then come up with your own idea for a research question and write a mock grant proposal requesting funding to do it.
Blueprint and Timeline
Driving Question:
How does basic knowledge of genetics allow us to plan for new research directions?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
How does basic knowledge of genetics allow us to plan for new research directions?
Learning Objectives:
Skills:
- Research
- Writing
- Collaboration
- Creative Thinking
- Bio.1.1.3 Explain how instructions in DNA lead to cell differentiation and result in cells specialized to perform specific functions in multicellular organisms.
- Bio.3.1.1 Explain the double-stranded, complementary nature of DNA as related to its function in the cell.
- Bio.3.1.2 Explain how DNA and RNA code for proteins and determine traits.
- Bio.4.1.1 Compare the structures and functions of the major biological molecules (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) as related to the survival of living organisms.
- Bio.4.1.2 Summarize the relationship among DNA, proteins and amino acids in carrying out the work of cells and how this is similar in all organisms.
- Bio.3.2.1 Explain the role of meiosis in sexual reproduction and genetic variation.
- Bio.3.2.2 Predict offspring ratios based on a variety of inheritance patterns (including dominance, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, and sex-linked traits).
- Bio.3.2.3 Explain how the environment can influence the expression of genetic traits.
Introduction to DNA Research
In order to begin the unit, you will hear from Dr. Reade Roberts, who runs a genetics lab at NC State. He will give an overview of how he (and scientists in general) decide what research to do, and talk about some of his lab's current work in order to get you thinking.
You will then complete a Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Lesson (POGIL) that allows you to explore current work being done in the Roberts Lab.
You will then complete a Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Lesson (POGIL) that allows you to explore current work being done in the Roberts Lab.
Mock Genetics Labs
In order to get a sense of what geneticists do, you will take part in three mock genetic labs: the Baby Face Lab, Karyotyping Lab, and Pedigree Investigation Lab.
Grant Proposal
There are an infinite number of questions scientists could do research to try to answer, but research takes time and money! In order to do research, scientists must get funding. In order to get that funding, they must convince the people with the money to care about their work. They do this by writing grant proposals.
In this project, you will develop an idea for a new research project that could be done at the Roberts Lab, and then work with your team to write a mock grant proposal asking for funding to do it.
In this project, you will develop an idea for a new research project that could be done at the Roberts Lab, and then work with your team to write a mock grant proposal asking for funding to do it.