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Human Practices

Presentation to NEWBio Teachers - Penn State Center for Science and the Schools

Engineering a Metabolic Pathway

In this simulation, colored beads were poured through each set of clear tubes. The beads represented chemicals or molecules entering a pathway which would alter them. The tubes represented the pathways which consisted of different genes being expressed at different levels. The first scenario represents a properly engineered pathway where the output of both genes is similar. This model allowed the beads to flow through the tubes with a constant pace. Our second scenario represented what can happen when a gene in the pathway is over-expressed. Here, the first gene was expressing at almost double what the second gene could take in. This caused the beads to build-up in the first tube while only allowing a small amount through the rest of the pathway. The third scenario shows a missing gene or a gene knockout situation. This pertains to the Biodexification project in how we are identifying the necessary genes for the HMF pathway to function in E. coli. When beads were poured through, the bottom tube did not receive any as they were not "metabolized" and in the correct form due to the missing gene.

Assembling a Plasmid Activity

This activity explained individual parts needed to make a functional plasmid and how they are used in the processes of transcription and translation. The group was given an handout of definitions of each part and, with our help, were able to put each part where it belongs.

Presentation to Science-U High School Students