Post on 26-Dec-2015
Welcome ~ and a question ~Welcome ~ and a question ~
“[An] important criticism on the results of our teaching frequently made by those who are not biologists at all, is that the apparent subject-matter of an ordinary course in botany or zoology consists of a congeries of facts more or less closely related among themselves, but having no evident connection with the life of man. To these critics it seems that biologists as a class contribute little or nothing out of their store of knowledge to the solution of the manifold problems of human life. Do scientific biologists contribute no more to the progress of human society than, for example, the scientific philologists?”
– Henry R. Linville
“[An] important criticism on the results of our teaching frequently made by those who are not biologists at all, is that the apparent subject-matter of an ordinary course in botany or zoology consists of a congeries of facts more or less closely related among themselves, but having no evident connection with the life of man. To these critics it seems that biologists as a class contribute little or nothing out of their store of knowledge to the solution of the manifold problems of human life. Do scientific biologists contribute no more to the progress of human society than, for example, the scientific philologists?”
– Henry R. Linville
Using Technologies to Teach Contemporary Issues in Biology
Mark Bloom
M.Bloom@TCU.edu
www.AndrewsInstitute.TCU.edu
Introductions
•Who are you?
•Where/what do you teach?
•What do you hope to get from today?
Code Names for “Class Work”
For any written work you do today, I would like you to use a code to maintain confidentiality and anonymity.
To get your code use the first three letters of your mother’s name followed by your month/day of birth.
For example, my code would be LIN0831
What is Science?
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Checks Lab
Step1. Randomly select 4 checks from your envelope.
Look at the checks carefully and decide what type of data these checks give you as the investigator.
Use your handout to begin to form a list of observations and a list of inferences.
Inferences begin to “tell the story” suggested by the data.
How Confident are You? ___%
Checks Lab
Checks LabStep 2. Randomly select 4 more checks from your envelope.
Continue to construct your story – changing the original idea if you wish.
How Confident are You Now? ___%
Checks LabStep 3. Randomly select 4 more checks from your envelope.
Continue to construct your story.
Write your story on your paper and post it for others to read.
How Confident are You Now? ___%
Checks Lab
Step 4. Share your stories with the rest of the groups. Other groups, if you have find a “problem” with the story being presented, let us know.
What information did another group have that you did not have?
Checks Lab
Your story may differ due to:
1. the order you received the checks
2. your personal bias
3. your prior knowledge
4. information you did NOT have
Checks LabHow is the Check Lab similar to the way science works?
Give an example of science working in a similar manner to this lab.
What is Nature of Science?What is Nature of Science?
The epistemology and sociology of science
Science as a way of knowing
The values and beliefs inherent to scientific knowledge and its development
Lederman, 1992
The epistemology and sociology of science
Science as a way of knowing
The values and beliefs inherent to scientific knowledge and its development
Lederman, 1992
Tenets of NOSTenets of NOS
•Tentative•Empirical•Subjective•Creative•Socially & Culturally Embedded•Observations & Inferences•Theories & Laws
•Tentative•Empirical•Subjective•Creative•Socially & Culturally Embedded•Observations & Inferences•Theories & Laws
TentativeTentative
Scientific knowledge changes in two ways; it grows as new knowledge is discovered and improves as old knowledge is revised corrected.
While scientific knowledge is tentative, there is also much reliability in scientific knowledge because of its empirical basis.
Ray Drenner - Hg Toxicity in Aquatic Systems
EmpiricalEmpirical
Scientific knowledge is based on observations of the natural world.
Although all scientific knowledge is based upon empirical evidence, much scientific knowledge (inferences & theories) lacks hard data directly accessible to the senses.
Archaeopteryx
Pangaea
SubjectivitySubjectivity
Scientists’ theoretical commitments and expectations influence their work.
Scientists’ observations acquire meaning in reference to questions or problems.
These questions or problems, in turn, are derived from certain theoretical perspectives (theory-laden).
H. Pylori
Drs. Barry Marshall & Robin Warren
CreativeCreative
Scientific knowledge involves human imagination and creativity.
Science involves the invention of explanations and this requires a great deal of creativity by scientists.
Dr. Bonnie Bassler
Social and CulturalSocial and Cultural
Science is practiced in the context of a larger culture and scientists are the product of that culture.
Science is affected by the various elements of the culture in which it is embedded.
These elements include social fabric, power structures, politics, socioeconomic factors, philosophy, and religion.
Stem Cell Research & HPV Vaccine
Observations and InferencesObservations and Inferences
Observations are descriptive statements about natural phenomena that are “directly” accessible to the senses.
By contrast, inferences are statements about phenomena that are not “directly” accessible to the senses.
Charles Darwin
And “his” finches
Theories and LawsTheories and LawsTheories and laws are different kinds of knowledge; one can not develop or be transformed into the other.
Laws are statements or descriptions of the relationships among observable phenomena (the “what”).
Theories, by contrast, are inferred explanations for observable phenomena (the “how”).
Contemporary Developments in DNA Technology
Read the two short articles before continuing
What questions do these articles raise?
What single, primary function do all cells in the
human body share?
What single, primary function do all cells in the
human body share?
DNA is the recipe for LifeDNA is the recipe for LifeDNA is the recipe for LifeDNA is the recipe for Life
Each person has a unique complement of DNAEach person has a unique complement of DNA
Each person to have a unique complement of Each person to have a unique complement of proteinsproteins
Each person having a unique appearance and Each person having a unique appearance and behaviorbehavior
Each person has a unique complement of DNAEach person has a unique complement of DNA
Each person to have a unique complement of Each person to have a unique complement of proteinsproteins
Each person having a unique appearance and Each person having a unique appearance and behaviorbehavior
which causeswhich causes
which contributes towhich contributes to
THE BIG PICTURE
In humans, our DNA is arranged in the form of
46 Chromosomes
In humans, our DNA is arranged in the form of
46 Chromosomes
Each Chromosome is the equivalent of a cookbook
containing recipes for making proteins
Based on: Mader, S. Based on: Mader, S. Inquiry Into LifeInquiry Into Life, McGraw-Hill, McGraw-Hill
Life Cycle of Humans
Just as a;Cookbook
is made of Paper
& contains Recipes
made up of Words
Just as a;Cookbook
is made of Paper
& contains Recipes
made up of Words
…aChromosome
is made of DNA
& contains Genes
made up of Nucleotides
Humans may be made of millions Humans may be made of millions of different types of proteinsof different types of proteins
Functions of ProteinFunctions of Protein•StructuralStructural
•muscle, hair, nailsmuscle, hair, nails•PigmentPigment
•MelaninMelanin•CaroteneCarotene•hemoglobinhemoglobin
•ChemicalChemical•AntibodiesAntibodies•hormoneshormones•enzymesenzymes
Proteins are chains of amino acids, Proteins are chains of amino acids, usually a few hundred amino acids longusually a few hundred amino acids long
AA AA AA
What are proteins made of?What are proteins made of?
AA AA AA AA
AAAA AA AA
Protein structure is more than just a chain of amino acids
Based on: Mader, S. Inquiry Into Life, McGraw-Hill
Amino Acid Sequence of Hemoglobin
Sickle-cell hemoglobin
Box shows the one amino acid difference in normal versus sickle-cell hemoglobin
Normal hemoglobin
Just like a mutation
in the Gene
causes the wrong amino acid
to be used in creating the protein
Just like a mutation
in the Gene
causes the wrong amino acid
to be used in creating the protein
…a misspelling
in the recipe
causes the wrong ingredient
to be used in creating the
casserole
Based on: Harvard Family Health Guide, 1999
Red Blood Cells
DNA Control of Protein SynthesisDNA Control of Protein SynthesisDNA Control of Protein SynthesisDNA Control of Protein Synthesis
DNA uncoils and one strand is used to produce DNA uncoils and one strand is used to produce messenger RNA (mRNA) in nucleusmessenger RNA (mRNA) in nucleus
mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes to the ribosomes with copy of blueprintto the ribosomes with copy of blueprint
at the ribosomes, amino acids are linked togetherat the ribosomes, amino acids are linked together as specified by the nucleotide sequence of the mRNAas specified by the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA
DNA uncoils and one strand is used to produce DNA uncoils and one strand is used to produce messenger RNA (mRNA) in nucleusmessenger RNA (mRNA) in nucleus
mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes mRNA leaves the nucleus and goes to the ribosomes with copy of blueprintto the ribosomes with copy of blueprint
at the ribosomes, amino acids are linked togetherat the ribosomes, amino acids are linked together as specified by the nucleotide sequence of the mRNAas specified by the nucleotide sequence of the mRNA
DNA as a Recipe DNA as a Recipe DNA as a Recipe DNA as a Recipe
Recipe Books are housed in the Library of the house Recipe Books are housed in the Library of the house and cannot be taken to the kitchen – the recipe and cannot be taken to the kitchen – the recipe
books have all the recipes for all the “dishes” that books have all the recipes for all the “dishes” that can be made in the bodycan be made in the body
Kitchen Workers make a copy of the recipe they wish Kitchen Workers make a copy of the recipe they wish to make and take the copy to the kitchento make and take the copy to the kitchen
Chefs assemble the “dish” out of ingredients like Chefs assemble the “dish” out of ingredients like eggs and milkeggs and milk
Recipe Books are housed in the Library of the house Recipe Books are housed in the Library of the house and cannot be taken to the kitchen – the recipe and cannot be taken to the kitchen – the recipe
books have all the recipes for all the “dishes” that books have all the recipes for all the “dishes” that can be made in the bodycan be made in the body
Kitchen Workers make a copy of the recipe they wish Kitchen Workers make a copy of the recipe they wish to make and take the copy to the kitchento make and take the copy to the kitchen
Chefs assemble the “dish” out of ingredients like Chefs assemble the “dish” out of ingredients like eggs and milkeggs and milk
Human Genome Project
•The project began in the late 1980s The project began in the late 1980s supported by 15 billion dollarssupported by 15 billion dollars
•Goal of the project was to sequence the Goal of the project was to sequence the roughly 3 billion chemical letters in DNAroughly 3 billion chemical letters in DNA that comprise the genetic code of humansthat comprise the genetic code of humans
•Many scientists said it could not be doneMany scientists said it could not be done
•Project was completed in 2000Project was completed in 2000- or was it?- or was it?
•The sequence of letters in DNA for the The sequence of letters in DNA for the human genome is known, but the human genome is known, but the gene-protein relationships are unknowngene-protein relationships are unknown
•It is like having the numbers in a phone It is like having the numbers in a phone book without the associated names book without the associated names
•We are learning the identity of new genes We are learning the identity of new genes each dayeach day
What We Don’t Know about DNAWhat We Don’t Know about DNA
Human Proteome Research
•Scientists will take decades to Scientists will take decades to figure out which proteins go with figure out which proteins go with which geneswhich genes
•All of today’s medicine will seem All of today’s medicine will seem medieval once proteomics studies medieval once proteomics studies begin to link proteins and genes begin to link proteins and genes because many human diseases are because many human diseases are genetically basedgenetically based
Tour of the BasicsTour of the Basics
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/tour/
Tour of the BasicsTour of the Basics
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/tour/
Gene TherapiesGene TherapiesGene TherapiesGene Therapies
About 4,000 human diseases are thought to About 4,000 human diseases are thought to be inheritedbe inherited
Scientists are making good progress Scientists are making good progress figuring out where genes are located on figuring out where genes are located on chromosomes and in understanding how the chromosomes and in understanding how the mutations in genes cause diseasemutations in genes cause disease
About 4,000 human diseases are thought to About 4,000 human diseases are thought to be inheritedbe inherited
Scientists are making good progress Scientists are making good progress figuring out where genes are located on figuring out where genes are located on chromosomes and in understanding how the chromosomes and in understanding how the mutations in genes cause diseasemutations in genes cause disease
Genetic map of chromosome 17
Based on: Mader, S., Inquiry Into Life, McGraw-Hill
Genetic TestingGenetic TestingGenetic TestingGenetic Testing
Now have DNA tests for 30 - 40 diseasesNow have DNA tests for 30 - 40 diseasesCystic fibrosis, some forms of breast Cystic fibrosis, some forms of breast
cancer, fragile X syndrome, Huntington cancer, fragile X syndrome, Huntington disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophydisease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Tests are up to 99% accurateTests are up to 99% accurate Tests can be run on embryos created by Tests can be run on embryos created by
in-vitro fertilization prior to implantationin-vitro fertilization prior to implantation
Now have DNA tests for 30 - 40 diseasesNow have DNA tests for 30 - 40 diseasesCystic fibrosis, some forms of breast Cystic fibrosis, some forms of breast
cancer, fragile X syndrome, Huntington cancer, fragile X syndrome, Huntington disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophydisease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Tests are up to 99% accurateTests are up to 99% accurate Tests can be run on embryos created by Tests can be run on embryos created by
in-vitro fertilization prior to implantationin-vitro fertilization prior to implantation
Future of Genetic TestingFuture of Genetic TestingFuture of Genetic TestingFuture of Genetic Testing
When will we have tests for 1000s of genetic diseases When will we have tests for 1000s of genetic diseases in human or what project must be completed for in human or what project must be completed for scientists to understand the DNA-protein scientists to understand the DNA-protein relationships that cause many human diseases?relationships that cause many human diseases?
When will we have tests for 1000s of genetic diseases When will we have tests for 1000s of genetic diseases in human or what project must be completed for in human or what project must be completed for scientists to understand the DNA-protein scientists to understand the DNA-protein relationships that cause many human diseases?relationships that cause many human diseases?
Issues about Genetic TestingIssues about Genetic TestingIssues about Genetic TestingIssues about Genetic Testing
What if the news is bad? Should the fetus be aborted What if the news is bad? Should the fetus be aborted or allowed to live with a “cruel” disease?or allowed to live with a “cruel” disease?
Should insurance coverage provide care for a child Should insurance coverage provide care for a child having a genetic disease that was diagnosed before having a genetic disease that was diagnosed before birth?birth?
Should blood relatives be warned?Should blood relatives be warned? Should our genetics be part of our records?Should our genetics be part of our records? Should employers be allowed to consider genetically Should employers be allowed to consider genetically
based diseases in hiring employees?based diseases in hiring employees? Will eugenics (manipulation of the hereditary qualities Will eugenics (manipulation of the hereditary qualities
of a race) be practiced?of a race) be practiced?
What if the news is bad? Should the fetus be aborted What if the news is bad? Should the fetus be aborted or allowed to live with a “cruel” disease?or allowed to live with a “cruel” disease?
Should insurance coverage provide care for a child Should insurance coverage provide care for a child having a genetic disease that was diagnosed before having a genetic disease that was diagnosed before birth?birth?
Should blood relatives be warned?Should blood relatives be warned? Should our genetics be part of our records?Should our genetics be part of our records? Should employers be allowed to consider genetically Should employers be allowed to consider genetically
based diseases in hiring employees?based diseases in hiring employees? Will eugenics (manipulation of the hereditary qualities Will eugenics (manipulation of the hereditary qualities
of a race) be practiced?of a race) be practiced?
Gene TherapyGene TherapyGene TherapyGene Therapy
Gene therapy is lagging behind genetic Gene therapy is lagging behind genetic testingtestingFor example, gene for cystic fibrosis was For example, gene for cystic fibrosis was
identified in 1989 identified in 1989 Scientists have been testing ways to insert copies Scientists have been testing ways to insert copies
of the normal gene into cells of the respiratory of the normal gene into cells of the respiratory tracttract
It is difficult to get the gene inserted into the It is difficult to get the gene inserted into the tissue so that it can take over control of tissue so that it can take over control of protein synthesisprotein synthesis
Gene therapy is lagging behind genetic Gene therapy is lagging behind genetic testingtestingFor example, gene for cystic fibrosis was For example, gene for cystic fibrosis was
identified in 1989 identified in 1989 Scientists have been testing ways to insert copies Scientists have been testing ways to insert copies
of the normal gene into cells of the respiratory of the normal gene into cells of the respiratory tracttract
It is difficult to get the gene inserted into the It is difficult to get the gene inserted into the tissue so that it can take over control of tissue so that it can take over control of protein synthesisprotein synthesis
Steps in Gene Therapy In Utero
Gene therapy trials are now underway around the Gene therapy trials are now underway around the world. When will the results be considered part of world. When will the results be considered part of world knowledge?world knowledge?
Number of approved gene-therapy trials as of 2004
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3210/02.html
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3210/02.html
RNAi TherapyRNAi TherapyRNAi TherapyRNAi Therapy
Transcribe and Translate a Gene
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
content/begin/dna/transcribe/
Footpath Murders
Lunch Break
11:00-12:30
Make a Gel Electrophoresis!
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/
content/labs/gel/
Make another Gel Electrophoresis!
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sheppard/labwave.html
NOS in the Footpath Murders?
DNA Fingerprinting Lab
http://www.dnai.org/d/index.html
Where else do we observe NOS and content knowledge about DNA
portrayed to the general public?
How might knowing this help inform our teaching?
Mainstream Film, Television, Books
NOS Fingerprint for the Movie Contact
Teacher Talk
Mark Bloom
M.Bloom@TCU.edu
www.AndrewsInstitute.TCU.edu