Brebeuf Jesuit Biotechnology

(picture of ligase obtained from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_ligase)

November 2, 2007:  Mrs. Annee explained the answers to the “Restriction Mapping Practice Problems II” questions and announced that students will take a quiz over restriction mapping on Tuesday, Nov 13.  Mrs. Annee led a discussion of the Analysis of a Genome Segment lab.  Students prepared samples for the Analysis of a Genome Segment lab and observed their DNA Ligation gels (these labs were completed and submitted to Mrs. Annee for grading). 

November 1, 2007:  Mrs. Annee announced the DNA Extraction & Quantification lab quiz (18 points) will take place on Wed, Nov 7.  She reviewed the lab protocol and explained the format of the quiz (what students need to know and how they will be assessed).  Students completed the paper simulation of restriction enzymes (Mrs. Annee explained how to draw a restriction map and how to methodically work through the problems). 

October 31, 2007:  Students in periods 1 and 7 started a paper simulation of restriction enzymes while students in period 5 loaded their DNA Ligation gels and submitted their Purification of a Gene lab to Mrs. Annee. 

October 30, 2007:  Plant Enzyme quizzes were returned to students.  Students in periods 1 and 7 loaded the DNA Ligation gels and Mrs. Annee discussed the “Restriction Mapping” practice problems.  Students in period 5 finished the Purification of a Gene lab and began thier ligation reactions for the DNA Ligation lab. 

October 29, 2007:  Mrs. Annee asked students in all classes whether or not there were any problems/issues with the Plant Enzyme quiz before she grades them (no issues were mentioned).  Students in periods 1 and 7 submitted their Purification of a Gene lab and completed the first portion of the DNA Ligation lab.   Students in period 5 continued the Purification of a Gene lab protocol.

October 26, 2007: Students in all classes took the Plant Enzyme quiz.  Due to Mrs. Annee’s unexpected absence, students in periods 1 and 7 will submit their Purification of a Gene lab questions on Monday.  All students received Restriction Mapping problems to complete for Monday (problems will not be graded).

October 25, 2007:  Mrs. Annee gave students a practice problem (see #10 on page 5 of the Plant Enzyme lab) in preparation for tomorrow’s quiz.  Students in periods 1 and 7 worked on the Purification of a Gene lab questions which will be submitted tomorrow.  Students in period 5 continued working on the protocol.

October 24, 2007:  Mrs. Annee reviewed for Friday’s Plant Enzyme quiz.  Students in periods 1 and 7 completed the Purification of a Gene protocol while students in period 5 continued working through the protocol. 

October 23, 2007:  National Mole Day!  Students in periods 1 and 5 watched “Laura’s Story.”  All students worked on the Purification of a Gene protocol (excising DNA fragments and purifying them).

October 22, 2007:  Mrs. Annee discussed each of the books mentioned on the extra credit book list distributed last week.  Students in period 7 also watched a 10-minute video called “Laura’s Story” which gives insight into the book Breathing for a Living (one of the books on the extra credit list). 

October 16, 2007:  Students poured and loaded a gel for the Purification of a Gene lab.  Mrs. Annee explained each of the answers for the “Restriction Analysis” handout and distributed a handout detailing an extra credit opportunity this semester (students may read a book from a provided list; assessment involves an interview with Mrs. Annee on or after December 3, 2007).  Students in period 5 also started and nearly completed a restriction enzyme simulation.

October 15, 2007:  Students received a copy of their First Quarter grades and completed the Anatomy & Evolution of the Genome lab.  Students were given the handout “Restriction Analysis” as (ungraded) homework.

October 12, 2007:  Students learned how to construct a graph on semi-log paper.  Students plotted their data from the Anatomy & Evolution of the Genome lab and constructed a line of best fit.  The line of best fit was used to determine the size of a particular segment of calf satellite DNA. 

October 11, 2007:  The DNA Structure & Replication quizzes were returned to students.  Mrs. Annee completed and/or reviewed the Anatomy & Evolution of the Genome pre-lab discussion and students collected data.

October 10, 2007:  Students in all classes took the Unit 2 Quiz over DNA structure and replication.  Period 7 students nearly completed the Anatomy & Evolution of the Genome pre-lab discussion.

October 9, 2007:  Students in all classes were given a DNA Structure & Replication self-quiz in preparation for tomorrow’s 24 point quiz.  Period 1 and 7 students finished watching Last Flight of Bomber 31.  Students in all classes discussed the question of whether or not the United States government should spend $100,000,000 each year in th recovery and identification of remains.  Students conducted online research while engaging in the discussion (How much is the annual defense budget?  Can funds from the defense budget be transferred to education, etc.?).  In period 5, Mrs. Annee also completed the pre-lab discussion for the Anatomy & Evolution of the Genome lab.

October 8, 2007:  Students in all classes loaded gels with samples for the Anatomy & Evolution of the Genome lab and continued watching Last Flight of Bomber 31 (period 5 finished the movie).  Students were reminded of the DNA Structure & Replication quiz on Wednesday.

October 5, 2007:  Students in all classes viewed the first half of the movie, Last Flight of Bomber 31, while considering the question, “Should the United States government spend $100,000,000 each year searching for, retrieving, and indentifying the remains of soldiers?”

October 4, 2007: Students in all classes reviewed gel electrophoresis and sucessfully completed the online activity “Exploration of Restriction Enzymes.”  Students obtained the nucleotide sequence for bacteriophage lambda in the NCBI database and then, using WebCutter, subjected it to the same restriction enzymes that will be used in next week’s Anatomy & Evolution of the Genome lab.

October 3, 2007:  Students in periods 1 and 7 continued their discussion of restriction enzymes by completing the “DNA Scissors” activity.  Students in period 5 were introduced to NCBI and WebCutter as they attempted to complete the online activity “Exploration of Restriction Enzymes”  (unfortunately, students experienced technical difficulties in the computer lab so they’ll attempt to complete the online activity tomorrow).

October 2, 2007:  Students constructed a DNA molecule with beads and simulated replication of the DNA molecule.  Students completed Unit 2 notes (DNA Structure & Replication) and Mrs. Annee announced a Unit 2 quiz will take place on Wed, Oct 10.   Students in period 5 also continued their discussion of restriction enzymes by completing the “DNA Scissors” activity.

October 1, 2007:  Students completed and submitted the DNA Extraction & Quantification lab and were introduced to restriction enzymes.  Mrs. Annee mentioned that the Extra Credit Blog will take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays (Sundays and Thursdays have been eliminated due to declining participation).