Project by: Elisabeth Seiple (11th Grade), Skyler Pierce-Scher (11th Grade)
Project Advisor: Daniel
Student(s)’s Advisor(s): Shafeiq and Arturo

We wanted to learn about what gene therapy is, the research being conducted about it, and the different diseases currently being treated with it. We wanted to take this project on because we both have interest in biology and genetics and we wanted to explore how new research surrounding genetics and traits are being used to solve larger world problems.

Weeks 1-3 Reflection:
We have spent the past three weeks looking in depth into how proteins are produced and formed, as well as the current methods of gene therapy in general. This includes learning about the primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of a protein and what they mean, and learning about CRISPR-Cas9 and how scientists discovered it and are implementing it as a treatment.

Weeks 4-6 Reflection:
For the past three weeks we have been learning about the genetic mutations that cause cystic fibrosis, including where this mutation is located, what kind of mutation is is, and what function of the body it effects. We also learned about gene therapy techniques more specifically when approaching cystic fibrosis. We chose to use cystic fibrosis as an example for the project because scientists have identified the gene mutation it originates from and can therefore more effectively use gene therapy to treat it.

Weeks 7-9 Reflection:
Along with wrapping up our discussion of gene therapy and cystic fibrosis, we also turned to preparing for our final poster. We talked about all the topics we had covered over the trimester and decided what would be most important to reflect on our poster, and how we could do so.

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PROJECT PROPOSAL

Please write a description of the project you are proposing. Why do you want to take this on, and what do you hope to learn?

We want to learn about what gene therapy is, the research being conducted about it, and the different diseases currently being treated with it. We want to take this project on because we both have interest in biology and genetics and we want to explore how new research surrounding genetics and traits are being used to solve larger world problems.

Critical thinking, creativity, citizenship and courage are essential LREI learning values. Explain how you’ll draw on at least one of these values to complete your proposed project?

We will draw on critical thinking through attempting to understand how this technique is being implemented to find cures, and also citizenship as debating the ethics of genetic engineering will be a necessary part of the project.

What is your proposed outcome? How will you be able to demonstrate successful completion of this Project? How do you plan to share your learnings with the larger LREI community (e.g., exhibit of work, poster of learnings, performance, etc.)?

We will come out of this project with a greater understanding of genetic engineering, and hopefully be able to compile our knowledge in the form of a poster, lab, or piece of writing.

Please provide a general outline that indicates your work plan for the trimester? What are some of the key project benchmarks (i.e., goals that will help to ensure that you finish the project)?

First we want to learn the background of the gene therapy process, and details of the general process of replacing a gene, and identifying said gene. Then, we will work on specific diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, and potentially parkinson’s, and the ways in which they are currently being treated with gene therapy. In the end, we hope to produce some sort of physical report of our new knowledge, and a reflection on our thoughts.

When do you plan on meeting?
Wednesday X-Block