HHMI BioInteractive

People profiles to be used to discuss global lactase persistence. 

The goal of these multi-week activities is to use Cancer Biology as a theme to introduce concepts in the cell cycle, cell biology, genetics and signal transduction.

These activities are appropriate for high school and Introductory Biology classes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the different stages of the cell cycle.
2. Estimate the duration of the different stages of the cell cycle from microscopic examination of onion root tips slides.
3. Relate deficiencies in cell cycle regulation to development of cancer
4. List the names, chromosomal location and functions of genes identified in various types of cancer
5. Describe how mutations in cancer driver genes can result to abnormal cell biology and development of cancer cells

Through the use of HHMI modules on Earth Systems, Ocean Acidification and Coral Bleaching  and lab activities, students will be able to discern the complex inter-relationship of carbon cycling, global warming, ocean acidification and coral reef health.

The students will be able to apply concepts in carbon cycling, pH, and ecosystem health  in modeling the effect of increased carbon dioxide to climate, acidification and coral reef ecosystems. An extension of these activities is to connect these activities to the application of the scientific method to make predictions on which areas of the world are at risk to coral bleaching.

Uses:

• Cell cycle introduction/review 
  • High school
  • Undergraduate introductory biology course
  • Upper level biology course for review/introduction to an advanced topic such as cancer pathophysiology
• Benefits:  Helps students identify the importance of the cell cycle and its relationship to cancer cell development
• How I use this activity:
  • Student population: BSN nursing students enrolled in a pathophysiology course
  • Review the cell cycle & introduce relationship of cell cycle to cancer in the genetic disease unit (genetic disease unit covers epigenetics, inherited diseases, diseases of nondisjunction, and cancer)

     

Overview of implementation of bio interactive modules

The original scientific paper annotated with additional resources for students

Report Title: Rapid evolution of a native species following invasion by a congener

Authors: Y. E. Stuart, T. S. Campbell, P. A. Hohenlohe, R. G. Reynolds, L. J. Revell, J. B. Losos.

Publication Date: 24 October 2014

Reference: Vol 346, Issue 6208, pp. 463-466

DOI: 10.1126/science.125700

Students explore the effects of different diets on the evolution of an enzyme that breaks down starch.

Abstract: G. G. Simpson, one of the chief architects of evolutionary biology’s modern synthesis, proposed that diversification occurs on a macroevolutionary adaptive landscape, but landscape models are seldom used to study adaptive divergence in large radiations. We show that for Caribbean Anolis lizards, diversification on similar Simpsonian landscapes leads to striking convergence of entire faunas on four islands. Parallel radiations unfolding at large temporal scales shed light on the process of adaptive diversification, indicating that the adaptive landscape may give rise to predictable evolutionary patterns in nature, that adaptive peaks may be stable over macroevolutionary time, and that available geographic area influences the ability of lineages to discover new adaptive peaks.

Phylogenetic trees and trait data for Greater Antillean Anolis lizards

This activity supports the film The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree. Students are guided to sort the lizard species by appearance, then generate a phylogenetic tree using the lizards’ DNA sequences to evaluate whether species that appear similar are closely related to each other.

A film produced In the Caribbean islands, adaptation to several common habitats has led to a large adaptive radiation with interesting examples of convergent evolution.

This activity supports the film The Origin of Species: Lizards in an Evolutionary Tree. Students are asked to formulate a hypothesis, and collect and analyze real research data to understand how quickly natural selection can act on specific traits in a population.  

In the 2013 Holiday Lectures on Science, leading medical researchers explain how advances in genomics are revolutionizing their work, leading to a better understanding of disease and to improved treatments.

Explore the phases, checkpoints, and protein regulators of the cell cycle in this highly interactive Click and Learn and find out how mutated versions of these proteins can lead to the development of cancer.

These two hands-on activities are based on a Howard Hughes Medical Institute 2013 Holiday Lectures on Science video featuring researcher Dr. Charles L. Sawyers.

Abstract: Over the past decade, comprehensive sequencing efforts have revealed the genomic landscapes of common forms of human cancer. For most cancer types, this landscape consists of a small number of “mountains” (genes altered in a high percentage of tumors) and a much larger number of “hills” (genes altered infrequently). To date, these studies have revealed ~140 genes that, when altered by intragenic mutations, can promote or “drive” tumorigenesis. A typical tumor contains two to eight of these “driver gene” mutations; the remaining mutations are passengers that confer no selective growth advantage. Driver genes can be classified into 12 signaling pathways that regulate three core cellular processes: cell fate, cell survival, and genome maintenance. A better understanding of these pathways is one of the most pressing needs in basic cancer research. Even now, however, our knowledge of cancer genomes is sufficient to guide the development of more effective approaches for reducing cancer morbidity and mortality.

Zoom into a coral reef and discover photosynthetic algae inside the coral’s cells. Reef-building corals rely on these symbionts for their survival.