LearningLabs
The Power of DNA Technology
Heidelberg, 1 - 3 July 2009
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The primary aim of the 3-day course was to introduce (or reintroduce) teachers to selected DNA technologies and to examine how scientists use these techniques to answer current questions in life science research.
Day 1
One of the hottest questions is to what extent does the genome vary between individuals. Jan Korbel (EMBL Heidelberg) addressed this question in the opening scientific seminar on Mapping all the genetic variation in the human genome. The Korbel Group studies ways in which the human genome sequence may differ between people, through duplication, deletion, or rearrangement of parts of the sequence. Using the analogy of the “book of life”, changes in the genome are analogous to rearranging letters, sentences, paragraphs, or entire chapters in the text. These larger differences in the genome are typically referred to as genomic structural variants (SVs). Using modern molecular biology techniques, it is possible to identify and map such variations in many individuals. Major international sequencing efforts such as the 1000 Genomes Project are presently underway with the aim to produce a more detailed map of the human genome and to find where different peoples' genomes differ from one another, in order to gain insight into human diseases, such as cancer and Down's Syndrome.
In the first hands-on activity, Recombinant Insulin, based on a module developed by Rossana De Lorenzi (ELLS Education Officer) and Cristina Gritti (Cus-Mi-Bio), the teachers mimicked the major techniques used to produced recombinant insulin, i.e. bacterial transformation, cloning, DNA extraction, digestion with restriction enzymes, and analysis of the digestion products by gel electrophoresis. In the original module —Towards the first recombinant drug insulin — practical activities are complemented with computer-based modules which follow the pharmaceutical development of recombinant insulin. Insulin is ubiquitous in post-16 curricula in the context of glucose regulation, and understanding the biology and treatment of diabetes mellitus. To strengthen the links between LearningLAB activities and school curricula, and to encourage exchange between teachers, Claude Béguin (Home Teacher Lab – Biodidac) presented a school protocol on gene expression and regulation in the Teachers' Trafo which examines how the production of invertase is switched on and off at a molecular level.
Day 2
Hüseyin Besir (Head of the Protein Expression and Purification Core Facility, EMBL) picked up the thread from the recombinant insulin cloning activity and presented the second scientific seminar entitled From Gene to Protein. He reviewed the ground-breaking method of production of recombinant DNA for the synthesis of proteins, introducing the idea of ‘expression vectors’, i.e. plasmids that enable a specific gene to be expressed inside a target cell. He illustrated how the amplification of DNA, by the now universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR), has increased the number of proteins that have been produced and analysed. Armed with theoretical knowledge of PCR, the teachers then had a chance to gain more practical skills in Screening Food for GMOs, using the GMO Investigator Kit produced by Bio-Rad. In this PCR-based activity, DNA is extracted from ‘suspect’ food samples, amplified by PCR and run on gels to test for the presence of recombinant DNA, or as more commonly described in this context, genetically modified organism (GMO) sequences.
Since molecular biology is one of the fastest developing sciences, the techniques are continually being refined. In the scientific seminar At the Core of Genomics, Vladimir Benes (Genomics Core Facility, EMBL) took a closer look at the cutting-edge techniques used to determine genomic sequences and to unravel how a genotype is manifested as a phenotype. Vladimir described microarrays which are currently the mainstay of functional genomics, and one of the latest techniques, quantitative real-time PCR, which allows scientists to measure the number of copies of specific sequences. Such technologies underpin the work of Jan Korbel’s Group. Vladimir’s talk served to illustrate how today’s life science research relies on high-tech equipment and engineering. Visiting a working research laboratory can be an eye-opening experience for a teacher, so after Vladimir Bene's seminar the teachers had a tour of the EMBL Genomics Core Facility, which runs and develops the sophisticated equipment for the microarray and sequencing services of EMBL.
Raeke Aiyar (Steinmetz Group, EMBL) presented the fourth scientific seminar on the new area of research called systems biology which involves finding out where and how genes and other molecules (e.g. proteins, hormones, metabolites) act as components of molecular networks that drive biological processes. Disease often results from network perturbation, e.g. by mutation of a gene, or environmental factors. Through application of systems biology, the medicine of the future is expected to become more preventative, predictive and personalized, where intricate knowledge of personal genomes will allow customisation of therapeutics to an individual’s needs. Raeke presented research from the Steinmetz Group on molecular networks responsible for preventing cancer, demonstrating the potential of a systems approach to improve medical therapeutics.
Day 3
The last day of the course focused on ethics and societal issues in molecular biology research. In parallel with the growth of know-how and technologies in molecular biology over the past three decades, there has been a subtle change in the image of molecular biology in the eyes of the public. In his seminar on Modern Genomics: issues of public concern, Halldór Stefánsson (EMBL Science & Society Programme Manager) examined how modern genetics and genomics have mostly been directed towards two spheres of application: 1) work that has made it possible to move DNA between and within species, and 2) work that has permitted large-scale mapping and sequencing of DNA. Both spheres have been outstandingly successful and have lead to extraordinary progress within the relevant fields of science. But they have also had an impact far beyond the boundaries of science. For the public they have sparked high expectations and hopes, as well as deep-rooted malaise and concern. Interestingly, public perceptions in Europe have been distinctly different from those in the US. In Europe, citizens have expressed concern with regard to genetically modified organisms (GMOs), raising questions of safety, economics, ethics, as well as consumer choice.
Guest speaker, Susanne Benner, Head of Communications BASF Plant Science, presented the industry side of the argument, focusing on GMOs as an economic factor in world agriculture, describing the global activities of BASF and the introduction of new biotech varieties of plants and crops that benefit farmers, industry, consumers and the environment.
The LearningLAB closed with activities that can be imported directly into the classroom — the Democs GMO Food Card Game which stimulates students to discuss ethical issues related to GMOs. Philipp Gebhardt (ELLS Education Officer) presented his prototype of The Artificial Ribosome a classroom-based activity which illustrates the centre dogma: how DNA is transcribed to RNA, which in turn is translated into protein.