Epigenetics: Investigating the

Structure & Function of Deoxyribonucleic

Acid

Epigenetics: Investigating the

Structure & Function of Deoxyribonucleic

Acid

Interdisciplinary Investigations (IDI)

Chemistry 161 Chemistry 162 Chemistry 163Epigenetics

This Investigation: Day 1Pre-Lab DiscussionPart 1: Structure and Function of DNAPart 2: IDI Challenge 1

Day 2Part 3: Seminar Part 4: IDI Challenge 2Part 5: Post-lab Assignment

Pre-Lab Discussion

What did you find most interesting about each video?

Part 1 A-C: Parts of the DNA Molecule

SugarNitrogenous Bases

Polarity of G & C Bases

D. Linking Through Chemical Bonds

The Phosphodiester Bond

DNA Double Helix

E. Functions of DNA

DNA Replication:

DNA must be accurately copied to

allow for the production of new cells during growth, repair,

and reproduction.

Gene Expression:

Specific regions of DNA, called genes,

must convey information to allow

cells to build the needed proteins

through transcription and translation.

Functions of DNA

DNA Replication:

DNA Replication: Let’s Watch

http://www.youtube.com/v/4jtmOZaIvS0

Functions of DNA

Gene Expression

Epigenetics and DNA Methylation:

• Do all your cells have the same DNA?

• Do all your cells use all their DNA? Why or why not?

All Our Cells Work From Essentially the Same Genome/DNA Template.

Thus cells must be able to regulate which genes they use.

Epigenetics and DNA Methylation:

• Differential gene expression allows different cell types to adopt different fates.

• Mistakes in gene regulation are associated with a variety of diseases, especially cancer.

Gene Regulation Plays an Important Role in Many Diseases

DNA Methylation

Write down your ideas for the three questions in Part E!

This reaction is enzyme-mediated.

DNA methylation silences genes.

Part 2: IDI Challenge

On your white board, make a group drawing that represents your thinking about how methylation of DNA “silences” a gene?

Be sure to capture your drawing as a photograph for your post-lab

report!

Part 3: Seminar

Assignment For Next Week:

1.Read these two articles:“A New Kind of Inheritance”, Scientific American, 2014

“Ancestral dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) exposure promotes epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of obesity” BMC Medicine, 2013.

2. Write a summary of the articles. 3. Write three questions 4. Bring the summary and questions with you to class and be prepared to participate in an in-class seminar

Day 2 Agenda:

• Intro to Epigenetics• The Structure & Discovery

of DNA• DNA Function • Methylation• Drawing Activity

How do we detect DNA methylation?

We use CHEMISTRY!

How do we detect DNA methylation?

We use CHEMISTRY!

Next: Your Seminar

1. Find your team!2. Introductions and Roles.3. Discuss the paper, using your

questions as a guide.4. Report out!

Structure, Function, and the Value of Visualization:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJyUtbn0O5Y

Challenge: Let’s Draw Again!

On your white board, make a drawing that represents your thinking about how methylation of DNA “silences” a gene?

DNA Methylation: Let’s Watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29doT6Hf2MI&list=PLU1BVhkEIXAHNboZCjPi2dovL1N9EazoJ