Tazswana’s Story

By Cathy Silver Key

Abstract

In this directed case study, students read about a little girl with beta-thalassemia, a life-threatening disease. Through a series of increasingly complex activities, they learn how alternative pre-mRNA processing (splicing) has caused her disease and how gene therapy that targets the process may provide a cure. The case was developed for a junior-level genetics course, but could be modified for use in a cell, molecular genetics, or molecular biology course.

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Date Posted

12/12/2006

Overview

Objectives

To engage students in learning the importance of proper pre-mRNA splicing: Over 50% of genetic diseases are caused by alternative splicing events.
To introduce students to sequences crucial to proper splicing: Examining how mRNA that is not spliced correctly may lead to translation of a nonfunctional protein.
To introduce the concept of pre-mRNA splicing preceding a unit on pre-mRNA processing.
To provide an opportunity for students to use critical thinking skills as they analyze RNA data, examine sequence information, and contribute to the design of the treatment plan.
(Optional) To provide a platform for subsequent class discussions of the likelihood that pre-mRNA gene therapy will become a reality during our lifetime.

Keywords

Molecular genetics; pre-mRNA processing; splicing; mRNA; antisense gene therapy; thalassemia; intron; extron; beta-globin inheritance; oligonucleotides

Subject Headings

Cell Biology

Molecular Biology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Directed, Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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