Unit Plan 1: Introduction to Genetic Engineering and its processes

Each unit is complete with the corresponding slides found in the main Genetic Engineering PowerPoint.
Teachers have the liberty to cover the material on an as-needed bases based on alignment with class
curriculum.

Estimated Time Materials

3-5 class periods PowerPoint, lab materials, printed activity sheets
(podcast sheet, recombinant DNA, etc.)

Objectives
1. Define biotechnology and DNA technology (Remember)
2. Define genetic engineering and list common terms used to describe the organisms created
through genetic engineering (Understand/Remember)
3. Illustrate the process of recombinant DNA and explain each step (Understand/Apply)
4. Differentiate between CRISPR and transgenic technology (Analyze)

Standards and strands

Science Biology Standards,
• Standard 4, Objective 2, Part c: Relate Mendelian principles to modern-day practice of plant and
animal breeding.
• Standard 4, Objective 3, Part c: Summarize how genetic information encoded in DNA provides
instruction for assembling protein molecules, Part d: Describe how mutations may affect genetic
expression and cite examples of mutagens.
• Standard 5, Objective 1, Part d: Compare selective breeding to natural selection and relate the
differences to agricultural practices.

Agricultural Science 1
• Strand 3, Standard 3, Define biotechnology, and explore its impact on agriculture.
• Strand 4, Standard 4, Define genetics, and discuss its importance.

Agriculture Science 3
• Strand 5, Standard 1, Compare and contrast the structures and functions of DNA and RNA,
Demonstrate the isolation of DNA
• Strand 5, Standard 2, Identify approaches that use genetics to improve organisms, including
controlled breeding, genetic manipulation, and stem cells.
• Strand 5, Standard 2, Describe the potential benefits of recombinant DNA

Assessment Options
1. Choose any of the included activities or projects as assessments.
Objectives Curriculum and Instruction: Content
1. Define Biotech Basics
biotechnology Biotechnology: “A number of methods other than selective
and DNA breeding and sexually crossing plants to endow new
technology. characteristics in organisms”
2. Define genetic "Appendix G: Glossary." National Academies of
engineering and Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Genetically
list common Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects.
terms used to Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:
describe the 10.17226/23395.
organisms created
through genetic a. Yeast in bread and beer production
engineering. b. Selectively breeding livestock.
• DNA technology: Laboratory techniques to analyze
genetic material to study and manipulate.
• Genetic Engineering
“The introduction or change of DNA, RNA, or proteins by human
manipulation to effect a change in an organism’s genome or
epigenome”
"Appendix G: Glossary." National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Genetically
Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects.
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:
10.17226/23395.
i. Genetic engineering: Practical and
direct manipulation of genes, like food
products and chemicals (cancer drugs,
pesticides, etc.)
ii. Specific genes can be modified and
moved between organisms (plants,
animals, and bacteria).
iii. Organisms that have one or more
genes by artificial means using DNA
technology have many terms:
Genetically modified/Genetically
Teaching Method
• Consider showing the following video on yeast
used in the laboratory from the National
Collection of Yeast Cultures and discuss with
students the transformation from only using
yeast in food products (bread and beer) to using
yeast for industrial process such as biofuel
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvd1zCW
u8nY)
a. Describe early uses of biotechnology,
including the past and current uses of
yeast.
• Hands-on activity: Yeast Cells Respire, too (But
not like me and you);
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/vie
w/duk_cellresp_mary_act
• Hands-on Activity: How to Make Yeast Cells
Thrive
https://www.teachengineering.org/activities/vie
w/duk_yeast_mary_act
• Fun facts:
https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-a-
genome
 modified organism – GM or GMO,
Transgenic organism, Bioengineered
• Additional information for this section can be found at
Khan Academy AP Biology – Intro to biotechnology:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/ap-
biotech-dna-technology/modal/a/intro-to-
biotechnology
3. Illustrate the Recombinant DNA • Create interest for learning the following
process of “Any novel DNA sequence created using genetic engineering” process by introducing with DIY Bio from
recombinant DNA "Appendix G: Glossary." National Academies of http://sphere.diybio.org.
and explain each Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Genetically
step. Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects. • Have students create a flow chart of the
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: following recombinant DNA process.
10.17226/23395.
Consider the following activities:
Transgenic Organisms:
“An organism that has had genes that contain sequences from • DNA Analysis- Simulating Recombination
another species or synthetic sequences introduced into its https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/DN
genome by genetic engineering” A_analysis_recombination.html
"Appendix G: Glossary." National Academies of Sciences, • Origami DNA
Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Genetically Engineered https://www.yourgenome.org/activities/origami
Crops: Experiences and Prospects. Washington, DC: The -dna
National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/23395.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqQi7mR8C6o • To summarize, consider showing the following
video on recombinant DNA:
• Two different nucleotide sequences from two different https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAMRQz7f
sources form a DNA molecule when combined. OaE
• Graphic source: Khan Academy

a.
Plasmid victor
“A circular DNA molecule endogenous to bacteria that is used to
replicate and transfer DNA to new cells”
 "Appendix G: Glossary." National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Genetically
Engineered Crops: Experiences and Prospects.
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:
10.17226/23395.

b. Bacterial plasmids are separate from the

bacterial chromosome.
c. Smaller and circular in shape.
d. Incorporates foreign DNA easily.
e. Can be taken up by bacterial cells.
f. Used for gene cloning
g. Gene cloning animation and diagram

h.
Restriction Enzymes
• Recombinant DNA is made up of a bacterial plasmid and
gene of interest
• Bacterial enzymes cut and paste DNA, known as
restriction enzymes.
• Restriction site, the specific part of a DNA sequence that
is recognized by a restriction enzyme
• Restriction enzyme animation
• Graphic source: Khan Academy

a.
Sticky Ends
• Sticky ends are created after a strand of DNA is cut by a
restriction enzyme, the sticky ends are single stranded
DNA or RNA ends that have a nucleotide base sequence
that is complementary to another strand, allowing them
to connect through base paring.
 a. Graphic source: Khan Academy

b.
DNA Ligase
• Joined by DNA ligase, from fragments to strands. It is
the glue for the DNA pieces
• Hundreds of restriction enzymes exist, originally for
making sure foreign DNA did not invade the bacterial
cell.
• Scientists can multiply proteins using this process in a
bacterium, yeast, or other cell.
• Graphic source: Khan Academy

a.

b.

c.

d.
 e.
• Additional information for this section can be found at
Khan Academy AP Biology – DNA cloning:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/ap-
biotech-dna-technology/ap-dna-cloning-tutorial/v/dna-
cloning-and-recombinant-dna
4. Differentiate CRISPR
between CRISPR “A naturally occurring mechanism of immunity to viruses found
and transgenic in bacteria that involves identification and degradation of
technology. foreign DNA. This natural mechanism has been manipulated by
researchers to develop gene editing techniques”
"Appendix G: Glossary." National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Genetically Engineered
Crops: Experiences and Prospects. Washington, DC: The
National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/23395.
Podcast Worksheet resources:
• CRISPR-Cas9 technology allows genes to be cut out,
replaced, or added to the sequence = simple, versatile,
precise
• CAS9 is a protein that comes from the immune system
of bacteria that recognizes viruses, in order to cut up
the viral DNA in order to fight viruses off, very similar to
human antibodies.
• CRISPR CAS9 is programmable to recognize any DNA
sequence and can cut at specific DNA sequence sites
like at a restriction enzyme.
• CRISPR and a new gene are introduced to a cell through
viral vectors, genetically engineered viruses.
• CRISPR makes the cut, the DNA is inserted, and then
spliced together to become fully functional.
• A gene is “fixed” through this process of gene therapy.
• In the context of DIY bio, http://www.the-
odin.com/diy-crispr-kit/
• Scientific Discovery Hard to Pin Down, podcast
with comprehensive questions and discussion
themes:
https://listenwise.com/teach/events/796-
scientific-discovery-hard-to-pin-down
• http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/sites/defaul
t/files/listening-to-a-podcast-366-367.pdf,
• (General) A CRISPR Way to Fix Faulty Genes
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-
shots/2014/06/26/325213397/a-crispr-way-to-
fix-faulty-genes
• (Plant Science) Amid GMO Strife. Food Industry
Vies for Public Trust in CRISPR Technology
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/
25/559867742/amid-gmo-strife-food-industry-
vies-for-public-trust-in-crispr-technology
• (Animal Science) CRISPR Bacon: Chinese
Scientists Create Genetically Modified Low-Fat
Pigs
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/
• Hemophilia, Cystic Fibrosis, Immune Deficiencies,
Hereditary blindness, blood disease (e.g. sickle cell
anemia), Cancer (e.g. melanoma, leukemia), Parkinson’s
Disease, and more.
23/559060166/crispr-bacon-chinese-scientists-
create-genetically-modified-low-fat-pigs
Inquiry based learning, with this question:
• What makes Based on the information
previously discussed on CRSIPR and transgenics.
Have students complete a graphic organizer,
such as a double bubble map, to compare and
contrast the information given for each. More
information given at:
https://www.actionagendas.com/single-
post/2016/08/09/Back-to-Basics-Thinking-Maps
Additional activities based on agricultural topic:
CRISPR A CRISPR Way To Fix Faulty Genes https://www.npr.org/sections/health-
shots/2014/06/26/325213397/a-crispr-way-to-fix-faulty-genes
Just how easy is it to edit DNA https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/just-how-
easy-is-it-to-edit-dna/
CRISPR Patent Battles, a super-sized space launch, and the rise of commuter drones
https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/crispr-patent-battles-a-super-sized-space-
launch-and-the-rise-of-commuter-drones/
The road to CRISPR https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/the-road-to-crispr/
Is it time for CRISPR 2.0 https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/is-it-time-for-crispr-
2-0/
A possible dark side of gene editing technique CRISPR
https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/crispr-problems/
Genetic Engineering Will Change Everything Forever – CRISPR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhjPd4uNFY
General The Yeast Also Rises https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/the-yeast-also-rises/
Animal Science Scientists Develop a Hornless Cow Through Gene Editing – 17:26 minutes
https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/scientists-develop-a-hornless-cow-through-
gene-editing/
Scientists Develop a hornless cow through gene editing
https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/scientists-develop-a-hornless-cow-through-
gene-editing/
Genetic Tests Reshape Bull Market For Beef Producers
https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/genetic-tests-reshape-bull-market-for-beef-
producers/
Plant Science -

Additional reading based on agricultural topic:

CRISPR What is CRISPR-Cas9 https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-crispr-cas9
General -
Animal Science Transgenic Animals in Agriculture, Wheeler, M. B. (2013) Transgenic Animals in
Agriculture. Nature Education Knowledge 4(11):1
https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/transgenic-animals-in-agriculture-
105646080
Plant Science -

Advanced Teacher Resources:

• Frontiers of Biomedical Engineering- Yale
https://oyc.yale.edu/biomedical-engineering/beng-100/lecture-3

Sources:
Pearson Education
Campbell Essential Biology (6th Ed.) by Simon, Reece, & Dickey.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2016. Genetically Engineered Crops:
Experiences and Prospects. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
https://doi.org/10.17226/23395.