Discovery Based Modules for Illustrating mRNA Splicing, Genome Variation and Detecting Genetically Engineered Organisms

We have developed several modules to introduce key concepts in biology and genomics for the Dynamic Genome (DG) course offered at UC, Riverside. During this course based research experience (CURE) first-year students learn about genetic information transfer (Central Dogma) and genome variation through experimentation on plant DNA. Students will extract DNA, perform PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis as well as use bioinformatics to analyze DNA sequence data in the first half of the course. In the second half of the course, students complete an open-ended research project based on ongoing research at UCR. I will present four modules that are used in class. The first one introduces dilution and pipetting. The second module demonstrates the result of splicing mRNA and allows students the opportunity to learn PCR and basic bioinformatics.  Student can also discover interspecific genome variation. The third module demonstrates intraspecific genome variation using the same techniques as the first module. The fourth module I will present teaches students the science behind genetic engineering giving them the facts so that they can make informed opinions of GMO plants and animals. Finally, I will demonstrate the electronic notebook we have developed for use in the teaching laboratory. I will briefly discuss how the protocols can be modified for short class periods found at high schools. The protocols and background materials for these modules will be made available on a website for participants to access.