In an era of DNA sequencing and new molecular biology techniques, scientists have become inundated with biological data. The interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics combines biology, computer science, mathematics, and statistics to overcome this challenge by creating methods of analyzing the wealth of biological data publicly available in databases, such as UniProt and NCBI.
In this lab, students will receive a hands-on introduction to this cutting-edge field, learning the importance of using novel technologies to diagnose and treat diseases with a genetic basis. Using a brief list of symptoms and their newfound knowledge regarding bioinformatics, students will diagnose two patients, Patient X and Patient Y, while compiling information about the proteins involved in their respective diseases.
Students will:
- Engage in the engineering design and iterative process
- Analyze complex real-world problems through a biological lens
- Follow specific criteria in order to problem solve by making informed and specific search queries
- Discover and understand the importance of bioinformatics and sequencing to diagnose and treat diseases
Classroom Tools & Resources
Get access to all of the presentation materials, workbooks and resources to run the Genetics lab in your classroom.
Lab Intro Videos
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Teacher Guide
Pre-work, instructions and troubleshooting advice.
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Student Workbook
Questions and assessments from the lab presentation.
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Abbreviated Student Worksheet
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Engineer’s Presentation
Full lab presentation presented by our engineers.
ViewMeet the lab intro host
Sarah Syed
Associate Consultant
,
Kx Advisors
Sarah Syed is a recent graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Inspired by her grandmother’s work as an OB-GYN in Pakistan, Sarah aspires to start a biotech company developing accessible interventions for historically overlooked diseases affecting women’s health.
At MIT, she studied mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer at the Grossman Lab and developed nanoscale contrast agents for early cancer detection. Previously, Sarah led the differentiation of gene-edited stem cells for allogeneic cell therapy as an intern at CRISPR Therapeutics. Sarah now works as an Associate Consultant at Kx Advisors, a firm that provides strategic and scientific expertise to clients in the healthcare and life sciences industry.
Sarah Syed is a recent graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Inspired by her grandmother’s work as an OB-GYN in Pakistan, Sarah aspires to start a biotech company developing accessible interventions for historically overlooked diseases affecting women’s health.
At MIT, she studied mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer at the Grossman Lab and developed nanoscale contrast agents for early cancer detection. Previously, Sarah led the differentiation of gene-edited stem cells for allogeneic cell therapy as an intern at CRISPR Therapeutics. Sarah now works as an Associate Consultant at Kx Advisors, a firm that provides strategic and scientific expertise to clients in the healthcare and life sciences industry.
Lab Day Keynote
Every Engineering Tomorrow Lab Day event ends with an inspiring keynote from an engineering expert. Watch this one from the latest Genetics Lab Day.
Valentin Sluch
Cell Biology Scientist and Associate Director
CRISPR
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