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LS7C+Week+9B+Pre-Class+Reading+Guide

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14 views

LS7C+Week+9B+Pre-Class+Reading+Guide

Uploaded by

cisnerosf910
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LS7C Week 9B Pre-Class Reading Guide

Fill out this worksheet as you complete your pre-class assignments. Bring your completed worksheet to class to use as a
reference for in-class activities.

After completing your pre-class assignments, you should be able to:


• Define DNA/gene editing
• Describe the structure and function of the CRISPR/Cas9 system and its application to human gene editing

1. Define the term DNA editing.

2. What is CRISPR? Where was CRISPR first discovered? Can CRISPR be transcribed and translated? What are the
functional products of CRISPR?

3. Imagine you are trying to explain the process of CRISPR gene editing to your friend who is also taking LS7C. You
show them the figure below. Provide an explanation for what this figure represents. Be sure to define the terms
Cas9, PAM sequence, Guide RNA, and any other terms in the diagram you think your friend would not already
know. You may find it helpful to refer to Figure 12.6 in your textbook.

The gRNA binds to the Cas9


protein and guides it to the target DNA
sequence. Cas9 scans the DNA for a
region that matches the sequence of
the gRNA and includes a nearby PAM
sequence. Once the target DNA is
located, Cas9 makes a double-
stranded cut in the DNA. The cell
repairs this cut through joint the ends
4. Watch the “Genome Editing with CRISPR-Cas9” video (https://youtu.be/2pp17E4E-O8) to visualize how the gene
editing CRISPR system works. CRISPR was adapted from a naturally occurring bacterial ‘immune’ system.

a. Briefly describe the function of this bacterial ‘immune’ system. Use the terms: nuclease, target DNA, Cas9,
guide RNA.

The CRISPR-Cas9 system is a bacterial immune system that defends against viruses by cutting their DNA. When a virus
infects a bacterium, it stores pieces of the viral DNA in its genome as a memory. If the same virus attacks again, the
bacterium uses this stored DNA to create a guide RNA. This guide RNA directs the Cas9 nuclease to the matching target
DNA in the virus, where Cas9 cuts the DNA, disabling the virus and stopping the infection.

5. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) BioInteractive hosts a CRISPR-Cas9 Mechanism & Applications
Interactive Media Tool allowing you to explore how CRISPR works and how it’s used.

a. Take a look at the ‘How it works’ module and scroll to learn more about the targeting, binding, cleaving, and
DNA repair mechanisms associated with CRISPR-Cas9. Go back to question 7 and update your answer after
interacting with this learning tool. What was most interesting to you in reviewing this resource? What
uncertainties, if any, were you able to resolve after viewing this resource?

b. Take a look at the ‘How it’s used’ module and scroll to a different scientist spotlight (Ex: Neville Sanjana,
Jennifer Doudna, David Liu, Robert Reed, or Amy Wagers.). After watching the scientist’s video, what did you
learn from them? What new questions do you have after reviewing this resource?

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