Diagnosing Cancer Through Microarrays

From Inside Cancer Wiki

Lesson Overview

This lesson introduces DNA microarray technology and the application of this technology to diagnosing specific gene activity in different cancers.

Goals and Objectives

Students will describe the procedure for making a microarray. Students will understand how to apply the microarray procedure in order to more accurately diagnose individual cancers.

Common Misconceptions

Students may think that there is only one form of each type of cancer. This lesson will show that cancers that affect the same tissues may be under different genetic controls.

The Lesson

Copy student handouts for microarray simulation activity. Lesson can be found at [http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:6_ilzFzdsFAJ:www.bio.davidson.edu/people/macampbell/CPCC/BEOP_Paper_Microarray.doc+microarray+activity&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a ]

During class Access [1]

1. Introduce the microarray procedure using the slide show. End with the animation of the process. 2. Have students complete the microarray simulation activity. 3. View the pharmacology slide that discusses the application of microarray technology in diagnosing breast cancer.

Time required

2 class periods