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American Biology Teacher |
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The following text is a review of eDNA 2.0 published in the American Biology Teacher, issue March 2005. Please visit
http://www.nabt.org/sup/publications for more information about American Biology Teacher.
The digital exercise series eDNA is an import from Sweden and provides a
phenomenal repertoire of genetic engineering simulations aimed at the AP, IB, or
introductory undergraduate level. The exercises are cutting-edge designed, and provide a
highly interactive and intuitive window of opportunity for students at various levels of
understanding. The rationale for this simulation program is twofold: to allow students to
perform DNA exercises when financial resources are limited, and to use scientific
concepts in a more conscientious way rather than handling materials and equipment in a
laboratory setting.
The exercises include a superb variety of activities that allow students to
familiarize themselves with diverse aspects of the laboratory setting such as reagents, and
instrument settings. Those exercises may be carried out in a non-linear fashion so the
instructor has some room for student-based inquiry. The activities are:
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Restriction Analysis – includes DNA fragments, Fragment Size Estimation (Levels 1 and 2), Combined Cleavage, and DNA Map (Levels 1 and 2). |
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DNA Fingerprinting – may be done using RFLP and PCR. |
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Paternity Analysis – performed using RFLP and PCR. |
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Phylogenetic Trees – also using RFLP and PCR. |
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Genomic Library – addresses the complexity involved in the construction of a genomic library. |
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Sequencing – allows either sequencing, or sequencing and translation. |
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Quality-, and Concentration Estimation – perfect to practice concentration estimates using spectrophotometric data. |
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Restriction Analysis – includes DNA fragments, Fragment Size Estimation (Levels 1 and 2), Combined Cleavage, and DNA Map (Levels 1 and 2). |
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DNA Fingerprinting – may be done using RFLP and PCR. |
| • |
Paternity Analysis – performed using RFLP and PCR. |
| • |
Phylogenetic Trees – also using RFLP and PCR. |
| • |
Genomic Library – addresses the complexity involved in the construction of a genomic library. |
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Sequencing – allows either sequencing, or sequencing and translation. |
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Quality-, and Concentration Estimation – perfect to practice concentration estimates using spectrophotometric data. |
Each of the exercises includes a student manual, which may be adapted by the
specific needs of the instructor. A special feature of the program is the Exercise Editor,
which allows each instructor to create her/his own exercises and distribute those through
the network. Moreover, it allows the instructor to add additional genomes and/or restriction enzymes. This particular task is not found in any other teaching software that
this reviewer is aware of.
One particular feature that I enjoyed the most while trying the program was the
interactive nature of the software while the student is working. For instance, the eDNA
software notices if you are doing something wrong and automatically gives advice
without becoming too distracting. As someone who has performed most of the exercises
in a laboratory setting, I was impressed by the close resemblance of the simulations. In
fact, the simulations can be used as a great pre-bench activity for those settings where the
students engage in actual bench work. Given the quality and breadth of the exercises,
eDNA can be the portal to bring more students to enjoy the fascinating and challenging
aspects of genetic engineering.
José Vázquez
General Studies Program
New York University
New York, NY 10003
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