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Biotechnology is a large scientific field that uses research tools from chemistry and biology to study or solve problems, including human disease. Biotechnologies may be used to study the genetic material of viruses and bacteria to determine whether a disease is caused by particular disease-producing agents. Its techniques are also used to understand how genetic factors contribute to human disease. The information gathered in research can be used to develop diagnostic tests that enable speedy detection and identification of a disease so that an appropriate treatment can be developed. It can also help doctors screen their patients' genomes (all of an organism's genes) for existing diseases or a predisposition for diseases such as cancer.
The standards for the Biotechnology Research and Development Pathway and related courses apply to occupations and functions in biotechnology research and development that apply primarily to human health. The standards specify the knowledge and skills common to occupations in this pathway. Students participating in a strong, industy-driven Biotechnology program can expect to conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. Additionally, students may use extended technologies to design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information pertinent to this field.
From CALPADS: Introduction to BiotechnologyThis introductory course is designed to provide students the necessary foundational technical skills of Health Sciences and integrated subject matter in science, mathematics, and English/language arts required to move to advanced curriculum and content in Health Science and Medical Technology. Student will have the opportunity to experience a variety of options leading to the broad career selection of a specific pathways with in Health Science and Medical Technology. Students will learn about the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products, or "any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use in Biotechnology.
This unit dives deep into a journey that examines basic characteristics of viruses, introduces the concept of index cases and patient zero and elicits the importance of ELISA testing in case identification. It illuminates human tragedy and the impact of an array of public health epidemics that transformed approaches in disease prevention and intervention commonly used in the 21st Century.
In addition to the CTE/STEM focus of the unit/project lessons, educators will find academic lessons in History that supplement the primary core area of study.
The structure of this unit and the materials contained within it were created by Jacqueline Kearns (CTE) and Kristie Banowetz (history) with support from the CTE Online curriculum leadership team and detailed coordination provided by the Course Specialist Sheri Coburn.
In this unit, students will explore the role of the biotechnology industry and biotechnology product development in curing diseases. Lessons address topics such as researching biotechnology companies, how biotechnology has advanced the making of common food products, and current careers in the field.
In this unit, students will explore the role of recombinant DNA and genetic engineering, bioprocessing, monoclonal antibody production, separation and purification of biotechnology products, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics in biotechnical product development. Lessons address such topics as bacterial transformation, recombinant DNA, bioprospecting, and DNA sequencing.
In this unit, students will determine the principles of solution preparation, contamination control, measurement and calibration, and emergency laboratory response. Lessons address such topics as the use of biotechnology lab equipment, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), epidemiology, microscopy, gel electrophoresis, and bacterial isolation.
In this unit, students will review and expand on the fundamentals of mathematical and scientific concepts related to biotechnology. Lessons address such topics as the structure and function of DNA and chromosomes, the central dogma of molecular biology, using cultures, and the basics of lab work.
In this unit, students will learn about the ubiquitous nature of microorganisms, the conditions that foster growth of organisms and the sometimes negative effects.
This unit is intended to be an Interdisciplinary approach to microorganisms. In addition to the CTE/STEM focus of the unit/project lessons, educators will find academic lessons in Biotechnology, Chemistry, and American Literature (ELA) that supplement the primary core area of study.
The culminating activity of this Interdisciplinary approach will require students to create artistic mind maps (AMM) that reflect their learning about microbial organisms in each of the three core courses, Biotechnology, Chemistry, and American Literature. The "How to Make an Artistic Mind Map lesson" will be taught in the American Literature class.
The structure of this unit and the materials contained within it were created by Armando Gonzalez (CTE), Kathleen O'Neill (chemistry) and Susan Carle (ELA) with support from the CTE Online curriculum leadership team and detailed coordination provided by the Course Specialist Sheri Coburn.
Students will learn about the structure and function of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Additionally, students will learn about the translation of DNA into biological traits. If the DNA is mutated, the consequences can be good or bad. Often random mutations, caused by mutagens, result in unexpected outcomes or even harmful consequences. This unit will focus primarily on radiation as a source of genetic mutation.
In addition to the CTE/STEM focus of the unit/project lessons, educators will find academic lessons in chemistry and American Literature (ELA) that supplement the primary core area of study.
The structure of this unit and the materials contained within it were created by Armando Gonzalez (CTE), Kathleen O'Neill (chemistry) and Susan Carle (ELA) with support from the CTE Online curriculum leadership team and detailed coordination provided by the Course Specialist Sheri Coburn.
In this unit, students will study biotechnology product design and development, laboratory procedures, product licensure, and the regulatory process for product development and clinical trials. Lessons address such topics as how pharmaceutical drugs are discovered and produced.
In these two projects, students will explore the various processes involved in bringing a new drug to market.
In this unit, students will explore the ethical, moral, legal, and cultural issues related to the use of biotechnology research and product development. Lessons address such topics as the ethics of "invitro meat," fetal tissue transplantation, GMOs as intellectual property, and alternative medicines.
This unit will explore the potential use of stem cells in disease treatment. Lessons in this unit include basic discussions on stem cells, the different types of stem cells, and their contribution and potential for disease treatment. As a result of the sensitive nature of this topic, teachers are encouraged to talk with their adminstrators and reveiw district policies prior to Stem Cell Unit implementation.
The structure of this unit and the materials contained within it were created by Lilibeth Pinpin (CTE) with support from the CTE Online curriculum leadership team and detailed coordination provided by the Course Specialist Sheri Coburn.
This project will explore plant extracts as source of antimicrobials. Students will learn how plants have been used by man as medicine over time. They will also identify common plants with known medicinal properties. At the end, they will investigate which plants have antimicrobial activity through experimentation. Students will use microbial techniques to effectively determine the presence or absence of antimicrobial activity in the identified plant extracts.
Gene Therapy is considered as one of the most innovative techniques in disease treatment. Instead of using the traditional drug-based approach, it has the potential to correct the underlying genetic problems by fixing the defective gene that causes the illness . However, gene therapy is not a molecular bandage that can automatically correct the problem. Improvements in the technology are underway and may hopefully overcome the different challenges that gene therapy still faces.
In this 4-lesson PBL project, students will learn what gene therapy is, how it works, the disorders it can potentially treat and its successes and challenges.