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Pharmacogenetics Lesson Materials
Treating Disease Using an Understanding of Genetics
Leukemia and Thiopurine Methyltransferase (TPMT) Case Study
The discipline of pharmacogenetics examines how genetic variations in an individual correlate with their responses to a specific medication. The ultimate goal of pharmacogenetics is to develop medical treatments tailored to the individual.
This lesson uses a ‘case study’ approach to explore the applications of genetics to medicine. It investigates one of the first examples of a pharmacogenetic test to enter mainstream clinical practice.
Through a brief fictional scenario, students are introduced to the disease involved (acute lymphocytic leukemia) as well as the wide range of individual response to the drug used to treat it. Then, students interpret data similar to those initially published in scientific journals in order to construct an understanding of how genetic variation can be used to ‘tailor’ medical care. Lastly, students are asked to apply their understanding of the lesson by making the appropriate medical recommendation based on a particular individual’s genotype.
The lesson is designed for upper-level high school students, but has been modified for use in regular biology classes and middle schools. It is also suitable for the introductory college level.
For the Greater Good Curriculum
Secondary Level
Our 'For the Greater Good Curriculum Guide' is
now available for download in pdf format. This Guide is designed
to explore the use of animals in biomedical research using the For
the Greater Good Article Series (Seattle P-I, 2000) as a resource.
Materials from Special NWABR Workshops
These curricular materials have been presented by NWABR at teacher workshops. Online Curriculum Resources
Secondary Level
Recommended online curriculum resources.
Additional Curriculum Resources
Elementary/Middle Level
Resources from NWABR and our 'sister'
organizations in other states. Please contact us to receive hard
copies of materials that are not available online.
Grades
6-8
Grades
2-5
Saving
Lorenzo
Download a lesson plan based on the film, 'Lorenzo's Oil', that
helps teachers easily integrate the Middle School Essay and Poster
contest into existing curriculum.
Modern Science Miracles
Developed by NWABR, this curriculum was designed and tested by local
teachers as part of our National Institutes of Health funded partnership,
"Making Connections".
The curriculum begins with a series of questions based on "Myths
and Facts", and continues with questions on "Milestones
in Medicine". Students are then given the opportunity to design
an "animal report" on specific animals and the role they
played in biomedical research. Final units ask students to research
their own family histories of how relatives' lives have been affected
by biomedical research. Please call or email us for a copy!
Effects of Alcohol and Nicotine on Daphnia
Developed by NWABR, this hands-on student laboratory activity was
developed as part of a grant funded by the National Institute of
Drug Abuse. Known as the Addiction and the Brain program, the University
of Washington, the Pacific Science Center and Group Health Cooperative/Kaiser
Permanente are NWABR partners in this grant. Students conduct their
own investigation of effects on daphnia after applications of alcohol
and tobacco solutions. Effects
of Alcohol & Nicotine on Daphnia (162 kb Word file)
Grades 6-8
What's the Point of Biomedical Research?
Developed by our North Carolina affiliate, this 17 page illustrated
booklet is a lively presentation of the basic steps in the science
inquiry process that lead to lifesaving research breakthroughs.
Written in both comic book and text format, topics include research
conducted using in vitro, animal models and human clinical trials.
BioRAP
Developed by our Connecticut affiliate, BioRap is a series of newsletters
for middle school teachers and students. Topics include Cancer,
Aging, Products Safety Testing, Feline Leukemia Virus and AIDS.
Each issue is accompanied by a teacher's guide.
Grades 2-5
People and Animals Interactive Health and Science Calendar
Developed by our Massachusetts affiliate, this award-winning poster-sized
calendar is an interactive tool for introducing the interconnection
between people, animals and the environment through health and science
themes. Each month covers a different health or science topic using
coloring, writing and drawing activities related to the monthly
theme. Topics include Infectious Disease, Aging, Diabetes, Dental
health, Body Organs and Transplantation, Poison Control and Product
Safety.
The Lucky Puppy
Developed by the North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research,
this coloring workbook designed for young children tells the story
of how medicine used to help an ill family puppy was made possible
through research on mice.
NWABR is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions
are tax deductible.
The NWABR web site was made possible by funding from the National Center for
Research
Resources and the National Institutes of Health through a Science Education
Partnership Award.
Copyright 1999-2007 Northwest Association
for Biomedical Research
All rights reserved.
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