Studying Human Disease Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Molecular Genetics Laboratory Project
Studying Human Disease Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans: A Molecular Genetics Laboratory Project
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DOI：
10.1187/cbe-11-06-0045
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发表时间：
2012-06-01
影响因子：
3.7
通讯作者：
Batzli, Janet M.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Cox-Paulson, Elisabeth A.;Grana, Theresa M.;Batzli, Janet M.
科学家们经常整合来自各种渠道的信息来探索正在研究的主题。我们设计了一个为期 4 周的本科生实验室模块，使用多方面的方法来研究分子遗传学问题。具体来说，学生们调查了秀丽隐杆线虫是否可以成为研究与人类疾病相关的基因的有用模型系统。在一门大二年级实验室课程中，三到四名学生被分配到与乳腺癌 (brc-1)、威尔逊病 (cua-1)、卵巢发育不全 (fshr-1) 或结肠癌 (mlh-1) 相关的基因。学生们比较了野生型线虫和具有指定基因纯合缺失的线虫的可观察表型。他们通过巢式聚合酶链式反应证实了基因缺失，并进行了生物信息学分析，以预测缺失将如何影响编码的 mRNA 和蛋白质。学生们还对指定的基因进行 RNA 干扰 (RNAi)，并评估 RNAi 是否会导致与基因缺失相似的表型。作为一项顶点活动，学生们准备了科学海报，在其中展示了他们的数据，评估了秀丽隐杆线虫是否是研究其指定基因的有用模型系统，并提出了未来的方向。评估显示在理解基因型与表型、RNAi、常见生物信息学工具以及模型生物体的实用性方面取得了进展。
Scientists routinely integrate information from various channels to explore topics under study. We designed a 4-wk undergraduate laboratory module that used a multifaceted approach to study a question in molecular genetics. Specifically, students investigated whether Caenorhabditis elegans can be a useful model system for studying genes associated with human disease. In a large-enrollment, sophomore-level laboratory course, groups of three to four students were assigned a gene associated with either breast cancer (brc-1), Wilson disease (cua-1), ovarian dysgenesis (fshr-1), or colon cancer (mlh-1). Students compared observable phenotypes of wild-type C. elegans and C. elegans with a homozygous deletion in the assigned gene. They confirmed the genetic deletion with nested polymerase chain reaction and performed a bioinformatics analysis to predict how the deletion would affect the encoded mRNA and protein. Students also performed RNA interference (RNAi) against their assigned gene and evaluated whether RNAi caused a phenotype similar to that of the genetic deletion. As a capstone activity, students prepared scientific posters in which they presented their data, evaluated whether C. elegans was a useful model system for studying their assigned genes, and proposed future directions. Assessment showed gains in understanding genotype versus phenotype, RNAi, common bioinformatics tools, and the utility of model organisms.