 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| Discovering bioinformatics
A protein in the World Wide Web |
|
|
 |
Authors:
Sami khuri, Natascha Khuri, Alexander Picker, Aidan
Budd, Sophie Chabanis-Davidson, Julia Willingale-Theune
Description:
In this activity students can search for information
about a protein using databases of biological information
on the World Wide Web. These databases collect and store
information about genes and proteins (sequence, STRUCTURE,
expression) about human inherited diseases for which
the genetic cause is known, scientific literature, etc.
Many databases that are accessible via the World Wide
Web offer so-called QUERY INTERFACES: special web pages
on which you can enter and combine search terms and
restrict them to special sections or fields of the database.
In a text search you can enter a search term, (the name
of a protein, a disease, a cell type) which is subsequently
compared to the textual content of the database. You
can also compare the sequence of a protein or gene to
the collection of known, annotated sequences stored
in a protein or genes database. In other words, you
can search these databases to find out what is already
known about your favourite protein. As we will see the
main biological databases are interconnected (through
so-called cross-references), providing links with one
another and allowing the user to access different types
of information from the result of a single QUERY.
We are going to look at the Pax6 protein from
zebrafish which is involved in eye development. By 'following'
this protein on the World Wide Web we can find the human
protein corresponding to the zebrafish Pax6 (its
ORTHOLOG), information about its function, STRUCTURE,
sub-cellular localization, and the molecular basis of
diseases linked to mutations in its sequence.
The standard conventions to denote genes and their products
(proteins) are as follows:
PAX6 = human gene
pax6 = gene any other species
Pax6 = protein
Target Audience:
Age 16-18 years
Objective:
To introduce the field of bioinformatics in the classroom.
GCSE Syllabus
Advanced Subsidiary GCE and Advance
GCE specifications for Human Biology:
This activity can be used to challenge students Key
Skills, especially IT (level 3)
Plan and use different sources to search for, and select,
information required for two different purposes.
Explore, develop and exchange information and derive
new information to meet two different purposes.
Present information from different sources for
two different purposes and audiences.
Materials:
Bioinformatics Module [PDF] |
|
|
Back |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
