About this course: Are you a living creature? Then, congratulations! You’ve got DNA. But how much do you really know about the microscopic molecules that make you unique? Why is DNA called the “blueprint of life”? What is a “DNA fingerprint”? How do scientists clone DNA? What can DNA teach you about your family history? Are Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) safe? Is it possible to revive dinosaurs by cloning their DNA? DNA Decoded answers these questions and more. If you’re curious about DNA, join Felicia Vulcu and Caitlin Mullarkey, two biochemists from McMaster University, as they explore the structure of DNA, how scientists cracked the genetic code, and what our DNA can tell us about ourselves. Along the way, you’ll learn about the practical techniques that scientists use to analyze our genetic risks, to manipulate DNA, and to develop new treatments for a range of different diseases. Then, step into our virtual lab to perform your own forensic DNA analysis of samples from a crime scene and solve a murder.
Created by: McMaster University
Taught by: Caitlin Mullarkey, Assistant Professor
Health Sciences
Taught by: Felicia Vulcu, Assistant Professor
Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences
| Level | Intermediate |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Cracking the Genetic Code
In this module, we'll explore the molecular structure of DNA. What is DNA? What are the basic building blocks of DNA? Where can you find DNA within a cell? We'll learn about how James Watson and Francis Crick were able to solve the riddle of the molecular structure of DNA by building on the work of other scientists. Their groundbreaking discovery revealed that four nucleobases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) combine with sugar and phosphate molecules to form the familiar double helix of DNA. We'll take a look at how the molecular structure of DNA regulates its functions; for example, how the chemical bonds (covalent and noncovalent) between these molecules allow DNA to "unzip" during replication. Then we'll take a look at how you manage to fit over three billion base pairs into each of your cells. (Here's a hint: Histones, nucleosomes, and chromosomes would be great at packing for a trip!)
7 videos, 4 readings, 5 practice quizzes
- Discussion Prompt: Why are you interested in learning about DNA?
- Video: How to Speak DNA
- Practice Quiz: How to Speak DNA
- Video: Cracking the Genetic Code
- Practice Quiz: Cracking the Genetic Code
- Discussion Prompt: What's your inspiration?
- Video: The Building Blocks of DNA
- Practice Quiz: The Building Blocks of DNA
- Video: Packing it all in!
- Practice Quiz: Packing it all in!
- Video: Summing Up
- Practice Quiz: DNA Word Search
- Discussion Prompt: What are you curious about?
- Discussion Prompt: What was the muddiest point in this lesson for you?
- Video: The Double Helix
- Reading: Timeline of DNA Discoveries
- Reading: Behind the Picture: Photo 51 (interview)
- Reading: (Not Really) The Last Word about DNA (video)
- Reading: Biochemistry: The Operating System of Life (video)
Graded: Cracking the Genetic Code
WEEK 2
Getting the Message Across: Transcription, Translation, and Replication
We've all heard DNA described as "the blueprint of life," but what does that actually mean? Each one of the approximately 20,000 genes in our bodies contains the instructions for building a protein. In this module, we'll explain how RNA copies the genetic information contained in our genes and uses this information to assemble amino acids into proteins. Scientists call this concept "Central Dogma": DNA makes RNA and RNA makes protein. We'll also explore how we transmit genetic information from one cell to another -- and what happens when things go wrong. Along the way, we'll learn about techniques (such as polymerase chain reactions and gel electrophoresis) that forensic scientists use in DNA fingerprinting. Join us this week for murder and mayhem in the lab!
8 videos, 4 readings, 8 practice quizzes
- Reading: The Case of the Silenced Scientist
- Practice Quiz: The Scene of the Crime
- Video: Stop copying me! DNA Replication
- Practice Quiz: Stop copying me! DNA Replication
- Video: Central Dogma, Part I: Transcription
- Practice Quiz: Central Dogma, Pt 1: Transcription
- Video: Central Dogma, Part II: Translation
- Practice Quiz: Central Dogma, Pt 2: Translation
- Practice Quiz: Decipher the Secret Message
- Practice Quiz: Breaking the Code (aka Game of Codons)
- Video: Practical DNA: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Practice Quiz: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Video: Practical DNA: Gel Electrophoresis
- Practice Quiz: Gel Electrophoresis
- Video: Summing Up
- Reading: Labster: Crime Scene Investigation
- Discussion Prompt: What are you curious about?
- Discussion Prompt: What was the muddiest point in this lesson for you?
- Video: DNA Replication
- Reading: TED Talk: Drew Barry - Animations of Unseeable Biology (video)
- Reading: Protein Data Bank
Graded: Getting the Message Across
WEEK 3
Manipulating DNA
In this module, we'll explore the techniques scientists use to manipulate DNA. Genetic engineering has allowed us to increase crop yields, diagnose illnesses, develop vaccines, and manufacture insulin. By carefully selecting a pair of molecular scissors (restriction enzymes), scientists are able to isolate a gene of interest and insert it into plasmid DNA, turning a common bacteria (E. coli) into a molecular copying machine. This week, we'll learn that mutations are genetic errors, but that not all mutations are necessarily bad — in fact, some mutations confer a selective advantage that protects against disease. We'll explain what genetically modified organisms are (and what they are not) and weigh in on the heated debates about the ethics and safety of GMOs in popular media.
8 videos, 5 readings, 6 practice quizzes
- Practice Quiz: Freaky Fruit: Manipulating DNA
- Discussion Prompt: If you could manipulate DNA, what would you change?
- Video: Slice and Dice: Restriction Enzymes
- Practice Quiz: Slice and Dice: Restriction Enzymes
- Video: Lights, Camera, Transformations
- Practice Quiz: Lights, Camera, Transformations
- Video: Mutations, Mutations, Mutations!
- Practice Quiz: Mutations, mutations, mutations
- Video: From Bananas to Papayas: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
- Practice Quiz: From Papayas to Bananas: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
- Discussion Prompt: Should genetically-modified foods be labelled?
- Video: Summing Up
- Practice Quiz: Help Felicia design a blue tomato!
- Reading: Labster: Molecular Cloning Simulation
- Discussion Prompt: What are you curious about?
- Discussion Prompt: What was the muddiest point in this lesson for you?
- Reading: Creating Dolly (video)
- Video: Genetic Engineering
- Reading: Genetic Engineering and Working with DNA (video)
- Video: Sickle Cell Anemia
- Reading: How did they make insulin from recombinant DNA? (article)
- Reading: Massive Review Reveals Consensus on GMO Safety (article)
Graded: Manipulating DNA
WEEK 4
DNA and Me
What does your DNA say about you? You may have heard that you share 99% of your genetic material with everyone else on the planet. That's true, but this week we're going to take a look at the less than 1% that makes you unique. We'll kick off by discussing the Human Genome Project, the massive scientific collaboration that mapped out the sequence of all our genetic material. The technologies developed while mapping out the human genome ushered in a new age in DNA research. Now, genome-wide association studies can analyze massive amounts of data, searching for genetic variations that are associated with particular diseases. Pharmacogenomics may help determine which drugs are likely be most effective for you. Genetic genealogy tests (such as Ancestry DNA, 23 and Me, and Family Tree DNA) will allow you to trace random mutations in your DNA that can provide clues to your ethnic heritage. As an added bonus, we'll discuss whether it would be possible to revive extinct species by studying ancient DNA.
9 videos, 7 readings, 5 practice quizzes
- Practice Quiz: DNA: Our Genetic Blueprint
- Video: Sanger Sequencing
- Practice Quiz: Sanger Sequencing
- Video: The Human Genome Project
- Video: Mammoths, Mummies, and Microbes: Ancient DNA
- Discussion Prompt: Should we revive extinct species?
- Video: Me and My Family Tree
- Practice Quiz: Me and My Family Tree
- Video: DNA and My Health
- Practice Quiz: DNA and My Health
- Discussion Prompt: What do you think of personal DNA tests?
- Video: That's a wrap!
- Reading: Labster: Next Generation Sequencing Simulation
- Discussion Prompt: What are you curious about?
- Discussion Prompt: What was the muddiest point in this lesson for you?
- Reading: Cracking the Code of Life (video)
- Video: Sanger Sequencing
- Video: Human Genome Sequencing
- Reading: Iceman Murder Mystery (video)
- Reading: Personal DNA Testing (video)
- Practice Quiz: Scientists Complete First Chapter of Book of Life With Decoding of First Human Chromosome (article)
- Reading: My Career in Genomics: Antibiotic Resistance (video)
- Reading: My Career in Genomics: Cancer Biology (video)
- Reading: My Career in Genomics: Evolution (video)
Graded: DNA and Me
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Ratings and Reviews
Very interesting course and well explained course. The lab simuklations are wonderful.
Awesome course!
Very informative and would recommend it 100%
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