About this item
Can cancer be inherited?
Students will perform agarose gel electrophoresis with DNA specimens in a situation of haplotyping, a molecular diagnostic test for hereditary breast cancer, in order to understand the application of genetic testing to prediction of risk. Students will also learn how to analyze a family pedigree all while employing Framework Science Standards LS1 and LS3 (From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes and Heredity: Inheritance and Variations of Traits).
This kit has been aligned with all published National Standards. Pre- and Post-laboratory assessments and vocabulary words all target specific Science and Engineering Practices and common core standards. The teacher guide also contains specific "Did You Know" concepts that link the real world with scientific standards explored. A student copymaster is also included. This kit includes enough materials to run once and enough materials to run 3 gels.
Materials included:
DNA samples
PCR samples for marker D for 4 patients: Helen, Harold, Adam, Susan
DNA size marker
1 bottle of precooked agarose 2.0%, 200 mL
1 bottle of TBE running buffer 5X, 500 mL
1 bottle of WARD'S QUIKView DNA stain concentrate, 60 mL
3 gel staining trays
Teacher's Guide and Student Guide
Materials not provided:
Electrophoresis chamber
Power supply
Micropipets with tips
Time requirements:
This activity takes approximately 80 minutes to complete
- NGSS Life Science DCIS LS1 and LS3
- Assessments and vocabulary words target Common Core standard
- Pre and post-laboratory assessments
- Links to real world concepts
- Estimated Lab Time: 80 minutes over one to two days
- Aligned to NGSS standards (MS/HS: LS1, LS3)
Nearly a quarter of a million women in the US will develop breast cancer in a given year. Cancers may be caused by environmentally-induced or inherited genetic mutations. In this activity students will perform agarose gel electrophoresis as a molecular diagnostic test for hereditary breast cancer. Students will use the test results to predict the patient’s risk of developing cancer. Students will also learn how to analyze a family pedigree all while employing NGSS Life Science Disciplinary Core Ideas LS1 and LS3 (From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes and Heredity: Inheritance and Variations of Traits). This kit includes enough materials to run 3 gels.
Pre- and Post-laboratory assessments and vocabulary words all target specific Science and Engineering Practices and common core standards. The teacher guide also contains specific "Did You Know" concepts that link the real world with scientific standards explored. A student copymaster is also included.
The kit is also available for purchase with a link to a NewPath digital lesson, which includes a variety of resources on the topic, including background information, illustrations and self-assessments.
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