Teaching CRISPR to first year students: A semester overview

    

Lynley M. Doonan and Amanda M. Willard

Advances in Biology Laboratory Education, 2025, Volume 45

https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v45.art7

Supplemental Materials: https://doi.org/10.37590/able.v45.sup7

Abstract

Frontiers, Analysis, andDiscovery inBiological Sciencesis a first-year,research-based laboratory course. Students work on a semester-long research project focusing on using CRISPR to edit yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). We teach the students molecular biology laboratory techniques in order to isolate and generate the critical components necessary for the CRISPR reaction. We slowly introduce CRISPR concepts throughout the semester asthey relate to the experiment we?re conducting that day. In this workshop, we will provide an overview of how we teach our first-year students the theory of CRISPR and how we use CRISPR to mutate yeast in the laboratory. Additionally, participants will conduct the final assay we utilize to evaluate the effects of our mutations on yeast growth. We will also discuss how the theory ismade accessible to allstudents,review activities, and materials we use to reinforce concepts.

Keywords:  CRISPR, introductory biology, review activity, growth assay, serial dilution, spot plate, group activity

University of Maryland (2024)