Teachers, extension specialists and anyone else interested in how molecular technology is being used to improve traditional plant and animal breeding and diagnose genetic diseases have a new educational resource prepared by Iowa State University's Office of Biotechnology and published by ISU Extension.  The set of curriculum materials for high school age students and adults is titled "From Mendel to Markers:  Impact of Molecular Technologies on Animal, Plant and Human Genetics." 

In the 1860's, Gregoire Mendel conducted plant breeding experiments on the common garden pea that led to the first theories about the units of inheritance that we call genes.  Mendel's work provided the foundation for today's molecular marker technologies. 

Molecular markers are pieces of DNA that are linked to or are part of a gene associated with a desirable characteristic, such as seed size or disease resistance.  Through a process called marker assisted selection, scientists can use molecular markers to select plants or animals that have the characteristic without waiting for them to grow to maturity. 

The new curriculum uses hands-on activities to trace the development of modern molecular genetics and bioethics issues from Mendel's experiments to current marker assisted selection of plant and animals.  The curriculum's three modules help high school students and extension youth and adult audiences:

• Explore the nature of genes and the rules of inheritance discovered by Mendel;

• Learn how Mendel's rules and marker assisted selection have improved crops, livestock, and disease diagnosis; 

• Develop a framework for evaluating ethical, social and legal questions associated with controversial technologies and issues.

Each curriculum module is designed to be used independently or with the other modules.  For educators, each module contains background information, lesson plans geared to the National Science Education Standards and 4-H skills, Internet resources and overhead transparency masters.  Informational handouts and activity handouts that can be photocopied for students are included.

The curriculum was funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to Iowa State and eight other institutions in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin that studied the social, economic, and ethical aspects of biotechnology.

Anyone is welcome to download a free copy of the curriculum from the Internet at: http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/publications/mendel

CDs or printed versions of the 227-page curriculum that are three-hole-punched and ready to be placed in a notebook can be purchased from Extension Distribution, 119 Printing and Publications Building, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3171, (515) 294-5247, fax (515) 294-2945, or e-mail pubdist@iastate.edu. The publication number is 4H-948LDR-CD for the CD and 4H-948LDR for the printed version.  Current prices are 75 cents for a CD and $12 for a printed copy, plus shipping and handling.

This curriculum is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 00-52100-9617.  Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors, editors, and reviewers and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

About the Office of Biotechnology

The Office of Biotechnology was established at Iowa State University in 1984 as part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Research to offer innovative programs in biotechnology research, education, outreach and technology transfer.  A Biotechnology Council of leading biotechnology faculty from the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering, Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine makes funding and program recommendations.  The Office of Biotechnology has provided $11.9 million to 105 new faculty to help them initiate their research programs.  It has awarded 185 fellowships for outstanding graduate students.  The office operates state-of-the-art instrumentation facilities that serve on- and off-campus researchers.  The Biotechnology Outreach Education Center of the Office of Biotechnology trains educators and students throughout the year, provides free laboratory supplies for K-12 and extension educators throughout Iowa, and develops innovative new curricula.  The office has a full-time ethicist who teaches an online bioethics course; provides bioethics training for teachers, USDA extension professionals, and other educators; and conducts research on topics related to biotechnology.  The office funds a full-time biotechnology liaison who works with faculty and industry to facilitate interactions that promote research, economic development, and technology transfer.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran.  Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3680 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.