CRISPR technology is a transformative genomic revolution, thus, it is important that all citizens, scientists and non-scientists, are familiar with its molecular architecture and its impact on society. CRISPR-based technology is already impacting a broad societal landscape, because it is moving beyond basic science into the realms of medicine, agriculture, food, policy and business. This transformative technology offers potential for enriching undergraduate science education by challenging students to face real-world applications and ethical dilemmas associated with CRISPR-based technologies. Educating students about the fundamental concepts associated with gene editing technology so that they can apply and connect the ways in which this technology intersects the fields of biology, health, policy, ethics and engineering should be a priority given the rapid state and intricacies at which the technology is expanding. In this lab, we aimed to develop activities that teach the fundamentals of CRISPR through paper modeling and gene analysis of a butterfly gene using DNA sequence software, and then have students apply their knowledge to an experiment where they analyze wild-type and CRISPR mutants in butterflies. Specifically, students analyze the molecular and phenotypic CRISPR effects when a gene responsible for butterfly wing color is targeted by CRISPR. Thus, this lab promotes understanding of genotype-phenotype relationship using butterflies as the model system.
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