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Click to see the SCSU CRISP Module Template used by CCSA for improving and updating the CRISP demos and kits. Each kit page offers a CRISP developed teacher module and CRISP aligned standards (both NGSS and CCSS)
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New genetic parts may allow modified E. coli bacteria to produce malaria medication.
Synthetic biologists can create and use standardized parts made of genes. Some of these parts are derived from genes in existing systems. Others are completely artificial, made from scratch in a lab. Researchers can create new living systems by adding new genetic parts to an organism’s existing genome. (A genome is an organism’s complete set of DNA, including all of its genes.) The new genetic parts act like instructions that make cells behave in certain ways. Synthetic biologists are building toolkits of interchangeable biological parts. One system, called BioBricks, is sort of like a free “operating system” for biotechnology
Adapted from Building with Biology Toolkits originally created for NISEnet via the Building with Biology project
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number DRL 1421179. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Subject(s):
Synthetic Biology, Biotechnology
Objectives:
- Synthetic biology develops tools and knowledge to build new living organisms and materials.
- Synthetic biologists can create and use standardized parts made of genes.
- Synthetic biology may provide solutions to problems in areas such as food security, healthcare, energy, and the environment.
Materials in this kit:
- Activity and facilitator guides
- Activity sign and holder
- Challenge cards
- Sorting and stacking toy and sticker
- Graphic mat: Toolkit of Biological Parts
- Reference sheet: Synthetic Biology
Suggestions for the Teacher:
Things to talk about:
- How did you choose which cards to try? Do you think a toolkit of genetic parts is a good solution to those problems?
- Scientists are building real toolkits of genetic parts. Do you think these toolkits should be available to everyone, to use for anything they want?
- Should anyone be able to own or patent the parts of genetic toolkits?
Safety:
Additional Resources:
Kit of Parts Teacher Module
Kit of Parts CRISP aligned standards
BwB_Kit of Parts Activity Guide
BwB Kit of Parts Cards
BwB Kit of Parts Facilitator Guide
bwb_kitofparts_mat
Synthetic Biology Reference
STEM Careers:
Bio-engineer
Bioinformatics Specialist
Biomedical Engineer
Environmental Scientist
Environment Technician
Manufacturing Technician
Medical Technologist
Quality Control/Quality Assurance Technician
Research Scientist
Standards:
MS-LS1-1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- Conduct an investigation to provide evidence that living things are made of cells; either one cell or many different numbers and types of cells.
MS-ETS1-1 Engineering Design
- Define the criteria and constraints of a design problem with sufficient precision to ensure a successful solution, taking into account relevant scientific principles and potential impacts on people and the natural environment that may limit possible solutions.
HS-LS1-1. From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
- Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.
HS-ETS1-1 Engineering Design
- Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
MS - LS1.A: Structure and Function
- All living things are made up of cells, which is the smallest unit that can be said to be alive. An organism may consist of one single cell (unicellular) or many different numbers and types of cells (multicellular).
MS - ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
- The more precisely a design task’s criteria and constraints can be defined, the more likely it is that the designed solution will be successful. Specification of constraints includes consideration of scientific principles and other relevant knowledge that are likely to limit possible solutions.
HS - LS1.A: Structure and Function
- Systems of specialized cells within organisms help them perform the essential functions of life.
- All cells contain genetic information in the form of DNA molecules. Genes are regions in the DNA that contain the instructions that code for the formation of proteins, which carry out most of the work of cells.
HS - ETS1.A: Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
- Criteria and constraints also include satisfying any requirements set by society, such as taking issues of risk mitigation into account, and they should be quantified to the extent possible and stated in such a way that one can tell if a given design meets them.
- Humanity faces major global challenges today, such as the need for supplies of clean water and food or for energy sources that minimize pollution, which can be addressed through engineering. These global challenges also may have manifestations in local communities.
CC 3 - Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
- Phenomena that can be observed at one scale may not be observable at another scale.
CC 6 - Structure and Function
- Investigating or designing new systems or structures requires a detailed examination of the properties of different materials, the structures of different components, and connections of components to reveal its function and/or solve a problem.
Interdependence of Science, Engineering, and Technology
- All human activity draws on natural resources and has both short and long-term consequences, positive as well as negative, for the health of people and the natural environment. (MS)
- The uses of technologies and limitations on their use are driven by individual or societal needs, desires, and values; by the findings of scientific research; and by differences in such factors as climate, natural resources, and economic conditions. (MS)
- New technologies can have deep impacts on society and the environment, including some that were not anticipated. Analysis of costs and benefits is a critical aspect of decisions about technology. (HS)
SEP 1 - Asking Questions and Defining Problems
- Define a design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process or system and includes multiple criteria and constraints, including scientific knowledge that may limit possible solutions.(MS)
- Analyze complex real-world problems by specifying criteria and constraints for successful solutions.(HS)
SEP 5 - Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
- Construct an explanation based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from a variety of sources (including students’ own investigations, models, theories, simulations, peer review) and the assumption that theories and laws that describe the natural world operate today as they did in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
Suggested Video(s):
Kit of Parts from NISE Network on Vimeo.