Resources

GTAC presents an innovative series of teacher resources which explore molecular biology using tools in Bioinformatics. Materials were developed at GTAC by Victorian Educators and Computational Biologists to complement VCE Biology and upper secondary science.

Designed for Unit 4 VCE Biology, this task can be modified to suit year 10 science students.

In this task students use Biology WorkBench to run sequence alignments for the coding region of beta globin genes from a variety of species. They use alignments to explore sequence conservation and then construct phylogenetic trees using Biology WorkBench. Students learn to read these phylogenetic trees to infer evolutionary relationships between species.

By making a multiple alignment of the amino acid sequences for insulin from a number of different animal species, you will develop an understanding of the phylogenetic relationships between these species with respect to this protein. Using the results students will decide which species would be best utilised as an insulin donor for humans. Using the program Cn3D you will be able to clearly see the 3-dimensional structure of insulin. Students will gain some insight into protein structure and function.

What is DNA? Where is it found? What does it do? In this series of tasks students utilise a variety of skills to explore the structure and function of DNA, investigate molecular evolution. Enter the world of genomics to find out just how similar living organisms really are.

Students will learn about protein structure by viewing protein molecules in Cn3D, a free web-based tool for viewing the 3-dimensional structures of proteins. Students will explore the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins and relate structure to function.

In this task, students use Cn3D (a free helper application for your web browser that allows you to view 3-dimensional structures) to investigate the effect of a nonsense mutation on the beta globin polypeptide. By comparing this mutation to healthy globin molecules, students will see that when a protein loses its shape (conformation) it also loses functionality.

A PowerPoint presentation introduces Bioinformatics and the concept of Homologous proteins. This presentation leads on to an activity designed to familiarize first-time users with the Biology Workbench; a useful Bioinformatics Tool. Lastly questions are posed that require students to use their understanding of molecular genetics to explain the data in terms of protein evolution.

Phylogenetic analysis, a technique that compares DNA samples from various sources to see how closely they are related, is a relatively new technique being used as evidence in courts. HIV is a highly litigated disease. In this task, students assume the role of forensic scientists working at the Centre for Disease Control (CDC). They perform a phylogenetic analysis of the HIV DNA found infecting 5 low-risk women, a suspect and infected individuals unrelated to the case. They use their results to determine the probability of infection by a single source, the suspect.

Designed for Unit 3 VCE Biology or to be used for upper middle years science.

IIn this activity students assume the role of a medical GP to diagnose and treat a patient. They BLAST an amino acid sequence to discover the virus infecting their patient and its relatedness to bird and pig influenza A sub-strains. They explore the mortality of this disease and its origins using the World Health Organisation website. They learn that a bird flu could reassort to cause a deadly pandemic. Finally they discuss measures for avoiding a pandemic.

In this task students run a multiple alignment of gene sequences for the influenza antigen, Neuraminidase, from a variety of sub strains of influenza A. They use their alignment to understand that the genetic code is degenerate resulting in persistent mutations in the third nucleotide of triplets and codons, and to investigate point and frame shift mutations. They understand that the sequence in coding regions of DNA is conserved to a greater extent than non-coding regions of DNA.

Task 10 – Rational Drug Design

Designed for Unit 3 VCE Biology.

Using Cn3D, a free web-based tool for viewing the 3-dimensional structures of proteins, students will apply their knowledge of enzymes and protein channels to explore methods for designing therapeutic drugs. Students explore the design of a diet pill; the design of an anti-viral drug to treat influenza; and the isolation and application of cone shell toxins to treat chronic pain.