This is the Illuminating Cancer storyline, which investigates the driving question: “How does protein structure determine its function?” Throughout the lesson set, students investigate how peptides (small proteins) derived from nature are being studied as possible treatments for cancer and other rare diseases.
Overview
This is the Illuminating Cancer storyline, which investigates the driving question: “How does protein structure determine its function?” Throughout the lesson set, students investigate how peptides (small proteins) derived from nature are being studied as possible treatments for cancer and other rare diseases. To launch the investigation, students will analyze an MRI to diagnose a fictional patient named Cory, who has a brain tumor. They then learn how nature-sourced peptides are candidates for cancer treatments and the role Project Violet, a citizen science drug-discovery initiative, has had in accelerating cancer research. Next, students use 3D Molecular Design toobers and amino acid maps to construct 3D peptide models isolated from toxins and pesticides before comparing their models to computer-generated models. In Lesson 2 of the Illuminating Cancer storyline students are challenged with a paperclip transfer activity, modeling how protein structure correlates to protein function. They then modify their protein model with magnets to improve its function. Next, students connect this understanding to the work done to create “Tumor Paint”— modified scorpion venom that glows and adheres to cancer cells — before performing simulated brain surgery.
DETAILS:
2 Lesson Plans
110 minutes
FUNDING SOURCES:
This project was made possible by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA), Grant Number R25 GM129842, from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIGMS or NIH.
NIGMS, part of the National Institutes of Health, supports basic research that increases the understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Its Science Education Partnership Award program funds innovative pre-kindergarten to grade 12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, and informal science education projects.
Lessons (In Development)
Cory's Story & Folding Proteins
Students will learn about a six year-old girl named Cory who is diagnosed with a glioblastoma after an MRI reveals a golf ball-sized tumor in her brain near her brain stem. Her symptoms are extreme fatigue, trouble with balance and walking, forgetfulness, dizziness and severe headaches.
Modifying Proteins & Brain Cancer
This is lesson set two of the Illuminating Cancer storyline where students are challenged with a paperclip transfer activity, modeling how protein structure correlates to protein function. They then modify their protein model with magnets to improve its function. Next, students connect this understanding to the work done to create “Tumor Paint”— modified scorpion venom that glows and adheres to cancer cells — before performing simulated brain surgery