For the past two years, we have been developing a program that involves high school students in the excitement of genetic research by enabling them to participate in sequencing the human genome. Both of these experiments consist of three parts- synthesizing DNA fragments using Sequenase and a biotinlabeled primer, bench top electrophoresis using denaturing polyacrylamide gels, and colorimetric DNA detection that is specific for the biotinylated primer.
Students analyze their sequencing data and enter it into a DNA assembly program.
This year, in collaboration Eric Lynch and Mary-Claire King frorn the Department of Genetics at the University of Washington, the students will be sequencing a region of chromosome 5q that may be involved in a form of hereditary deafness. This module was developed by Sharon Durfy and Robert Hansen from the Department of Medical History and Ethics at the University of Washington. Students use an ethical decision-making model to decide whether, as a character from the scenario, they would be tested presymptomatically for the HD allele. Through this experience, they develop the skills to define ethical issues, ask and research the relevant questions about a particular topic and make justifiable ethical decisions. In the first two years of this program, our focus was on the development of robust, classroom friendly modules that can be presented in up to six classes at one time.