Case-based Learning in Biology Using Case-based Learning in Biology Using Computer Simulations of Protein Computer Simulations of Protein

Laboratory Procedures Laboratory Procedures

Mark Bergland and Karen Mark Bergland and Karen KlyczekKlyczek

University of Wisconsin-River University of Wisconsin-River FallsFalls

Mary LundebergMary LundebergMichigan State UniversityMichigan State University

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OverviewOverview

•Description of Case It! ProjectDescription of Case It! Project

•Demonstration of DNA analysis softwareDemonstration of DNA analysis software with sample case study in human genetic diseasewith sample case study in human genetic disease

•Demonstration of new protein module Demonstration of new protein module with sample case study in infectious diseasewith sample case study in infectious disease

Case It! ProjectCase It! Project

URL for URL for Case It! Home Page:Case It! Home Page:

Http://www.uwrf.edu/caseit/caseit.htmlHttp://www.uwrf.edu/caseit/caseit.html

Contact: mark.s.bergland@uwrf.eduContact: mark.s.bergland@uwrf.edu

Supported by the CCLI program of the National Supported by the CCLI program of the National Science FoundationScience Foundation

Case It! ProjectCase It! Project

Electronic framework for analyzing and Electronic framework for analyzing and discussing case studies in molecular discussing case studies in molecular biologybiology

•Human genetic diseases and associated ethical Human genetic diseases and associated ethical issuesissues

•Students gather background information on Students gather background information on cases cases

•Analyze DNA sequences using Case It! Version Analyze DNA sequences using Case It! Version 4.02d4.02d

•Prepare web-page poster using automated Prepare web-page poster using automated systemsystem

•Poster session via Internet conferencing Poster session via Internet conferencing

•Role-playingRole-playing

Techniques for DNA Techniques for DNA analysisanalysis

Features of Case It! Version 4.02dFeatures of Case It! Version 4.02d

• DNA electrophoresisDNA electrophoresis• Restriction enzyme digestion and Restriction enzyme digestion and

mapping mapping • Southern blottingSouthern blotting• Dot blotting Dot blotting • Polymerase Chain ReactionPolymerase Chain Reaction

Sample case: Huntington’s Sample case: Huntington’s DiseaseDisease

Susan is a 23-year-old whose father, age 55, and Susan is a 23-year-old whose father, age 55, and paternal aunt, age 61, have been diagnosed with paternal aunt, age 61, have been diagnosed with Huntington’s chorea. A paternal uncle, age 66, Huntington’s chorea. A paternal uncle, age 66, appears to be unaffected by the disease. Susan appears to be unaffected by the disease. Susan wants to know if she inherited the mutated gene from wants to know if she inherited the mutated gene from her father so that she can prepare for that future if her father so that she can prepare for that future if necessary. She arranges to undergo DNA testing for necessary. She arranges to undergo DNA testing for Huntington’s. Her 17-year old brother, John, also Huntington’s. Her 17-year old brother, John, also decides to be tested after talking with Susan.decides to be tested after talking with Susan.

Ethical issues raised by the caseEthical issues raised by the case

Should someone with a family history of HD be Should someone with a family history of HD be required to undergo testing? Should they have required to undergo testing? Should they have children if they test positive, or if they have not children if they test positive, or if they have not been tested?been tested?

Should someone as young as John be tested?Should someone as young as John be tested?

Should the results of such tests be made available Should the results of such tests be made available to insurance companies? to potential employers? to insurance companies? to potential employers? to potential mates?to potential mates?

Case analysisCase analysis

Case It! InvestigatorCase It! Investigator is used to gather background is used to gather background information on caseinformation on case

Case It! Version 4.02dCase It! Version 4.02d is used to analyze DNA is used to analyze DNA sequences associated with casesequences associated with case

Case It! Launch PadCase It! Launch Pad gives access to a web gives access to a web editor/conferencing system editor/conferencing system

-electronic poster sessions-electronic poster sessions-role playing-role playing

Case It! Launch Pad

Case analysisCase analysis

Case It! InvestigatorCase It! Investigator is used to gather background is used to gather background information on caseinformation on case

Case It! Version 4.02dCase It! Version 4.02d is used to analyze DNA is used to analyze DNA sequences associated with casesequences associated with case

Case It! Launch PadCase It! Launch Pad gives access to a web gives access to a web editor/conferencing system editor/conferencing system

--electronic poster sessionselectronic poster sessions-role playing-role playing

Case analysisCase analysis

Case It! InvestigatorCase It! Investigator is used to gather background is used to gather background information on caseinformation on case

Case It! Version 4.02dCase It! Version 4.02d is used to analyze DNA is used to analyze DNA sequences associated with casesequences associated with case

Case It! Launch PadCase It! Launch Pad gives access to a web gives access to a web editor/conferencing system editor/conferencing system

--electronic poster sessionselectronic poster sessions-role playing-role playing

Protein moduleProtein module

• ELISA (Enzyme immunoassay)ELISA (Enzyme immunoassay)

• Protein gel electrophoresis/ Western blotProtein gel electrophoresis/ Western blot

• Infectious disease cases Infectious disease cases » HIVHIV» West Nile virusWest Nile virus» InfluenzaInfluenza

ELISA test results

A2A2 Pos. controlPos. control

A3A3 Neg. controlNeg. control

A4A4 Anna - 1st triAnna - 1st tri

A5A5 Anna - 2nd triAnna - 2nd tri

A6A6 BoyfriendBoyfriend

A7A7 InfantInfant

HIV viral proteinsHIV viral proteins

Source: The Biology Project, U of Arizona http://www.biology.arizona.edu

Band pattern Band pattern interpretationinterpretation

Source: The Biology Project, U of Arizona

HIV Case studiesHIV Case studies

Case scenario - Case scenario - videovideo and text and text

ELISAELISA test - initial screening test - initial screening

Western blotWestern blot to follow up ELISA results to follow up ELISA results

Invitation to participateInvitation to participate

• We welcome participation in the Case It! We welcome participation in the Case It! ProjectProject

• No cost to educatorsNo cost to educators• High school and university educators are High school and university educators are

invitedinvited• Contact mark.s.bergland@uwrf.eduContact mark.s.bergland@uwrf.edu

AssessmentAssessment

• Team: 10 preservice science teachers, 3 Team: 10 preservice science teachers, 3 professors; 1 teacherprofessors; 1 teacher

• Pre- and post-case analysis taskPre- and post-case analysis task-understanding of ethical issues & data -understanding of ethical issues & data

interpretationinterpretation• Observations and interviewsObservations and interviews• Web PostersWeb Posters• Internet conferencingInternet conferencing

Genetic diseases, genetic testing Genetic diseases, genetic testing and underlying geneticsand underlying genetics

Seventy-six (76)% of students interviewed Seventy-six (76)% of students interviewed reported that the project helped them learn reported that the project helped them learn more about genetic diseases more about genetic diseases

I had no idea what this disease was before..it’s I had no idea what this disease was before..it’s amazing how much you can learn from genetic amazing how much you can learn from genetic

testing.testing.

"To answer your question about ending the life of "To answer your question about ending the life of

another because they have Alz., we won’t say another because they have Alz., we won’t say

whether it is the right thing to do or not, but it is whether it is the right thing to do or not, but it is

something people need to think about. A couple something people need to think about. A couple

should discuss their wishes with their partner should discuss their wishes with their partner

before their disease progresses, that way the before their disease progresses, that way the

partner will know he/she is making the right partner will know he/she is making the right

decision for that person." decision for that person." (video clip)(video clip)

Ethical issues: Ethical issues: Internet conferencingInternet conferencing

Student interestStudent interest

100% of the students said the project was valuable100% of the students said the project was valuable

50% chose the disease because it was in their 50% chose the disease because it was in their familyfamily

59% liked the project because it related to real-life59% liked the project because it related to real-life

47% liked the project because it provided a fun and 47% liked the project because it provided a fun and novel way to learnnovel way to learn

Role playing inRole playing ininternet conferencinginternet conferencing

I think it’s cool how people are really getting into I think it’s cool how people are really getting into

it. Once in a while I forgot that the people it. Once in a while I forgot that the people

asking the questions were others students. It’s asking the questions were others students. It’s

pretty believable. It puts you in a pretty pretty believable. It puts you in a pretty

realistic situation.realistic situation.

I like playing the role of the counselor. I don’t I like playing the role of the counselor. I don’t

feel like I know that much, but I think it’s neat feel like I know that much, but I think it’s neat

to just think about all these things that go on.to just think about all these things that go on.

TechnologyTechnology

71% of students reported being asked at least one 71% of students reported being asked at least one question they didn’t know the answer to, which question they didn’t know the answer to, which inspired them to do additional research and to inspired them to do additional research and to revise their poster including this new information.revise their poster including this new information.

People are asking you questions that you don’t know People are asking you questions that you don’t know

how to answer then you have to research it and how to answer then you have to research it and

answer them. So then you find out a lot more that if answer them. So then you find out a lot more that if

you just researched it and did a project.you just researched it and did a project.

It was cool to use the internet for chatting back and It was cool to use the internet for chatting back and

forth. I never really used it like that before. I just forth. I never really used it like that before. I just

normally look up stuff of interest. I think it’s great to normally look up stuff of interest. I think it’s great to

incorporate technology into class; it’s a lot of fun.incorporate technology into class; it’s a lot of fun.

I think the most positive thing for me was learning how I think the most positive thing for me was learning how

to make a web site. It’s like doing a report but you to make a web site. It’s like doing a report but you

can put it on the Internet for anyone to look at. I’m can put it on the Internet for anyone to look at. I’m

so used to just writing papers and turning them in. I so used to just writing papers and turning them in. I

thought this was a really unique way to do a report.thought this was a really unique way to do a report.

TechnologyTechnology