Genetic Engineering Project

Title of Unit
Curriculum Area
Developed By

Genetic Engineering
Bioteccnology
M. Penarroyo

Grade Level
Time Frame

12
6 weeks

Identify Desired Results (Stage 1)

Content Standards
HS-LS1-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins, which carry out the essential
functions of life through systems of specialized cells.
HS-LS1-6. Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other
elements to form amino acids and/or other large carbon-based molecules.
HS-LS3-1. Ask questions to clarify relationships about the role of DNA and chromosomes in coding the instructions for characteristic traits passed from
parents to offspring.
HS-LS3-2. Make and defend a claim based on evidence that inheritable genetic variations may result from (1) new genetic combinations through meiosis,
(2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by environmental factors.
RST.11-12.9: Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process,
phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.
WHST.9-12.1: Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
WHST.9-12.9: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Understandings
Overarching Understanding
Genetic engineering is a branch of biotechnology that make use of special
procedures and techniques to modify the DNA of an organism.
Insulin and other life-saving products are made by genetically modified
bacteria.
all the information required by organisms to maintain life is encoded in the
arrangement of nucleotides in their DNA.

Essential Questions
Overarching
Is genetic engineering a cure or a treatment?

Knowledge

Skills

Students will know

Students will be able to

thatthecodinganddecodingofDNAisthesameamongall
organisms,whichmakespossibletheexpressionofahumangene
bybacteria.

Use micropipettors
Cast gel
Use of gel electrophoresis
Prepare to clone the rfp gene
Build the pARA-R plasmid
Transform bacteria with recombinant plasmids
Purify fluorescent protein using column chromatography
Amplify DNA using PCR

howtheprocessesoftranscriptionandtranslationfacilitatethe
transferofinformationfromDNAtoproteins.
recognizethatthetraitsoforganismsaredeterminedbythe
expressionofspecificgenesintheirDNA.
understandhowgeneexpressionisregulated.
understandhowproteinfunctionsareresponsibleforthetraitsof
anorganism.
recognizethatachangeintheDNAsequencecanalterthe
functionofaproteinandcanchangethetraitsofanorganism.
knowhowbacteriacanbegeneticallymodifiedtomakenew
products.
understandthereciprocalrelationshipbetweenbasicscience
researchandtechnologydevelopment:Theyunderstandthatthe
discoveriesofplasmids,restrictionenzymes,andligasesduring
basicresearchhavegeneratedthetoolsandtechniquesof
biotechnology;inturn,thetoolsandtechniquesofbiotechnology
areenablingscientiststoreachdeeperunderstandingsaboutgenes
andthefunctionoftheirproductsinacell.
understandthepurposeofusingcontrolsinscientific

investigations.

Assessment Evidence (Stage 2)

Performance Task Description
Goal
Role
Audience
Situation
Product/Performan
ce
Standards

Your challenge in the AMGEN Biotech Experience is to successfully carry out the steps of the genetic engineering process that
is used to make insulin and other genetically engineered products.
You are a lab technician working for AMGEN R&D.
You need to convince AMGEN QC that your product is worth using.
You are working for AMGEN whose main product is to produce insulin and genetically modified organisms. You are asked to
employ the Amgen Biotech pathway needed in this genetic engineering process
You will create your own genetically modified bacteria using a mutated gene from a sea anemone.
Your product or your bacteria that you've created will be highly visible. It will produce red fluorescent protein..

Other Evidence
Pre- & Post- assessment
Anecdotal observation
Lab reports
Oral & written reports
From: Wiggins, Grant and J. Mc Tighe. (1998). Understanding by Design, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
ISBN # 0-87120-313-8 (ppk)