Understanding the central dogma and how changes in gene expression can impact cell function requires integration of several topics in molecular biology. Students often do not make the necessary connections between DNA structure, transcription, translation and how these processes work together to impact cell function. This lesson seeks to tie together these concepts through the use of data from primary literature, in the context of viral infection. This lesson asks students to think like scientists as they design experiments, make predictions and interpret and evaluate data from primary literature on how changes in the expression of a glucose transporter gene can alter the function of a cell through changes to glucose uptake and metabolism. This lesson incorporates the Vision and Change core concept of information flow and the core competency of quantitative reasoning. It also addresses The Genetics Society of America learning framework goal of Gene Expression and Regulation (How can gene activity be altered in the absence of DNA changes?). This lesson was taught in three sections of a small-enrollment undergraduate class and assessed summatively using a pre/post test and formatively using in class via personal response systems. This lesson describes the design, implementation and results of student assessment, and offers suggestions on how to adapt the materials to a variety of contexts including different class sizes, different units of introductory biology, and upper-level classes.