Broadening Horizons and Teaching Basic Biology Thr

Authors: Cem Albayrak K C Jones James R Swartz

Publish Date: 2013/07/23

Volume: 22, Issue: 6, Pages: 963-973

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Abstract

Cellfree protein synthesis CFPS has emerged as a practical method for producing a broad variety of proteins In addition the direct accessibility to the reaction environment makes CFPS particularly suitable as a learning vehicle for fundamental biological concepts Here we describe its implementation as a teaching tool for a high school laboratory course Ninety students in a biotechnology class used CFPS to study the effects of the concentrations of amino acids cell extract DNA and the energy source on accumulation of active superfolder green fluorescent protein Students estimated product concentrations simply by comparing solution colors to a printed green color gradient This simple and inexpensive method allows for immediate measurements and 26 of the 30 groups observed measurable product concentrations within 60 min These studentgenerated data were then discussed to illustrate concepts of data analysis such as outliers and standard deviation We also combined the laboratory experience with a visit to a university campus that included a laboratory tour and a collegestyle lecture Our overall objective was to excite the students about the scientific enterprise and to instill a sense of personal relevance and attainability so that these students could realistically consider technical careersWe acknowledge the students in the biotechnology class at Sequoia High School for conducting the experiments We thank Dr William Yang for the T7 RNA polymerase and for his assistance in preparing the cell extract Thanks also to Dr Alyssa Bingham Dr Bertrand Lui and Dr Phillip Smith for helping with the laboratory tours at Stanford University

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