Science, technology, social and environmental Impacts
STSE is an important aspect of science courses in high school because the students are thinking about their futures and where they want to go with their lives. Students need to be aware of the options that are open to them within the science world. Gene regulation is an area of science that many emerging fields of science are rooted in. Epigenetics is the study of processes that alter gene expression without altering the genetic sequence. At this point in time, the processes that have been identified include methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, and sumolyation (Weinhold, 2006). The study of epigenetics is not new in the science field, however the study of epigenetics through the lense of cancer study is emerging(http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/promise_progress/reprogramming_cancer_cells___the_story_of_epigenetics/the_story_of_epigenetics). Cancer is something that affects us all, so looking at cancer and how it might be impacted by epigenetics is an area of science that students may pursue in the future. Nutrigenomics is the study of how nutrients and different food components can impact gene expression and how someone might respond to bioactive food components, depending on their genetic code (Fenech et al. 2011). Nutrition is such an important aspect of life, especially the lives of our developing students, so nutrigenomics is relevant in all lives. There is the potential for nutrigenomics or epigenetics to discover a cure for some of the most devastating diseases that affect humans every day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-ycQufrgK4
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TEDEd
TEDEd is a great resource for teachers to utilize. "TED believes passionately that ideas have the power to change attitudes, lives, and ultimately, the world. This underlying philosophy is the driving force behind all of TED’s endeavors..." The talks that TEDEd provide are really effective at bringing issues seen on our society to the forefront. These talks help to connect the curriculum to issues that are seen in student's lives, such as the issues in this talk - cancer. I love this talk in particular because Jack Andraka, 18, is an innovator, who at the age of 15 had the idea of how he can change the world. I think that showing students what someone their age (or younger...) is capable of can be quite encouraging. I want students to realize that they are capable, smart, able and can make a difference. I think this talk can help to motivate the students to want to learn so they are able to make a difference in our society. |
Students will be exposed to journal articles and will be expected to create papers based on information within journal articles. Because of this, it is important to expose students in high school grades to these journals so they are familiar with them when they encounter them down the road. Articles published by various journals contain emerging information with regards to epigenetics and nutrigenomics, shedding light on both of the topics and help students understand where science is heading.
Below are some papers that connect the concept of gene regulation with STSE, in various ways. One article looks at a cell implant that uses the mind to control gene expression - something that seems impossible. There are also articles about diseases and how epigenetics or nutrigenomics could help mitigate or delay the onset of diseases and the last article is about how the experiences your ancestors had might have an effect on your genes.
Below are some papers that connect the concept of gene regulation with STSE, in various ways. One article looks at a cell implant that uses the mind to control gene expression - something that seems impossible. There are also articles about diseases and how epigenetics or nutrigenomics could help mitigate or delay the onset of diseases and the last article is about how the experiences your ancestors had might have an effect on your genes.
Mind-controlled Transgene Expression by a wireless-powered Optogenetic designer cell implant
http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2014/141111/ncomms6392/full/ncomms6392.html Nutrition and Epigenomics http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/nutrition/ Grandma's Experiences Leave a Mark on your Genes http://discovermagazine.com/2013/may/13-grandmas-experiences-leave-epigenetic-mark-on-your-genes#.UfqcF3B5mK3 Epigenetic Influences and Disease http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/epigenetic-influences-and-disease-895# |
DNA Microarrays
Initially, microarrays were used in research, in attempts to link mutations in certain genes to the likelihood of an individuals developing a disease and to identify the gene sequence changes that are most often seen in individuals that develop certain diseases. However, microarrays are more commonly used now to study the level that a specific gene within a tissue or cell is turned on or off. To do so, RNA is isolated and measured. In developing this technology, scientists now have the tools necessary to research relationships between disease and gene expression. This is an area of STSE that has potential to change the face of disease and disease prevention. The following is a more extensive look at microarrays and the work that scientists and health care professionals are doing in this field (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2015).
Initially, microarrays were used in research, in attempts to link mutations in certain genes to the likelihood of an individuals developing a disease and to identify the gene sequence changes that are most often seen in individuals that develop certain diseases. However, microarrays are more commonly used now to study the level that a specific gene within a tissue or cell is turned on or off. To do so, RNA is isolated and measured. In developing this technology, scientists now have the tools necessary to research relationships between disease and gene expression. This is an area of STSE that has potential to change the face of disease and disease prevention. The following is a more extensive look at microarrays and the work that scientists and health care professionals are doing in this field (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2015).