2009 DNA & Health Conference Workshops

Palindromes in “DNA LAND” … DNA sequence and Word Play

Dr. Mark D. LeBlanc, Computer Science

Dr. Betsey D. Dyer, Biology, Wheaton College Genomics Group

No longer do we need to look to the sky in search of unknown life as a handful of soil contains thousands of microbial species with unexplored genomes. In a series of interdisciplinary mini-lectures followed by hands-on computer activities, workshop participants will learn to use linguistic metaphors to introduce, motivate, and explain DNA sequence analysis. Participants will experience instant gratification with finding patterns in English words, learn how those same patterns are relevant in DNA, and will leave with materials and ideas for exposing students to the interdisciplinary science of genomics.

Breast Cancer: What You Do Not Know Can Hurt You

Dr. Merideth Krevosky, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State College

Barbara Boone, Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts

Breast cancer affects millions of men and women worldwide and will strike approximately 180,000 people this year.   As the incidence of breast cancer is growing, increased knowledge of the disease may help you or a loved one to better cope with diagnosis.   This hour-long interactive panel will provide participants with information on the epidemiology, tumor biology, screening, prevention and treatment of this disease.  The audience will participate in a quiz game that will provide important and up-to-date facts about breast cancer.  In addition, a mini-lecture will supplement the information that is presented during the quiz game. 

Protein Modeling… Virtual & Real

Dr. Frank Gorga, Professor, Chemical Sciences, Bridgewater State College

Interested in protein structure, one of core concepts used in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries? Interested in presenting this topic to your students in a unique manner combining computer models of proteins, physical models of proteins and hands-on activities? This workshop will begin with a brief introduction to protein structure. We will introduce easy to use, pre-prepared computer models of proteins, a lending library of physical models of proteins and other resources for teaching this subject. Biology and chemistry teachers, as well as other interested individuals, are encouraged to attend.

One Filter at a Time:  Health and Pure Water for Cambodia and the World

Dr. Kevin D. Curry, Professor, Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State College

The Center for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) estimates that 1.1 billion people lack access to clean drinking water.  Lack of access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation has been directly linked to almost 1.8 million deaths due to diarrhea from water borne diseases and contaminated drinking water.  Biosand filters are being distributed around the world to help provide safe drinking water and reduce childhood mortality in developing countries.  The Watershed Access Lab at Bridgewater State College has been assisting the Middletown, Rhode Island Rotary with the Health, Pure Water, and Literacy campaign in the Siem Reap region of Cambodia.  An overview of the project status, effectiveness of the biosand filters and future opportunities will be presented.

Personal genome sequencing:  Teaching the ethical, social, and legal questions

Ms. Dana Waring, Research Assistant, Personal Genetics Education Project, Harvard Medical School

Personal genome sequencing – an analysis of all the genes in your body performed simultaneously – will soon be inexpensive and widely available.  We are all going to face novel questions about how much we want to know about our genomes, and how this knowledge will impact us and our families – as well as the fields of medicine, health care, research, law and public policy. How will people decide whether to get their genomes sequenced? What are the potential risks and benefits? Perhaps most importantly, how do we teach students to think critically about biotechnology that could impact their lives in unexpected ways?

We will model classroom discussions and activities, and share materials such as a lesson plan, newspaper and journal articles, and “break-out session” scenarios that are suitable for use in high school or college classrooms.