Bioprimer #1

Activities / Bioprimer #1

Competing Designs

The competition between these two genetic designs may seem too close to call, but only one system can be the best banana-smelling bacteria.

Animations for this Bioprimer

Open Reading Frames

It’s not easy being green. It’s also not easy to figure out why Buddy is green, but Sally explains how open reading frames help.

Bacterial Gene Parts

Not all apps are created equal. Dude gets lessoned on how to build a gene using the correct parts in the correct order.

Part

Dude cops an attitude. If we know the parts of a biological system, why can’t we design them to snap together like pieces from a model robot kit?

Genetic Digital Device

Buddy’s growth is out of control. Sally shows Dude how the right device can be used as an on-off switch to keep Buddy from blowing up.

Inverter

Green light, go. Red light, stop. A transcriptional inverter may not work as fast as a traffic light, but Izzy helps Dude understand how this type of device can help him solve Buddy’s overgrowth.

DNA Synthesis

Order up! Dude is ready to string together his DNA design, but doesn’t know how.

Measurement

Dude cops an attitude. If we know the parts of a biological system, why can’t we design them to snap together like pieces from a model robot kit?

Cell Growth and Division

Izzy and Sally help Dude keep up with the cells growing in the lab. This video looks at the stages of bacterial cell growth, how to measure them, and launches the BioBuilder activity #1: Eau That Smell!