Lab design
Task
A research lab has recently identified a novel protein with structural similarity to members of the Bcl-2 family of proteins. You are fortunate enough to be working in this research lab across the summer and have been given the project of establishing whether this new protein “BKLY” discovered in the lab has pro- or anti-apoptotic properties. One of the lab members has inserted the gene for this protein into a plasmid and will transfect cells for you so that they over-express the protein.
The head of the lab has asked you to design a series of experiments to examine the protein. You need to:
- Show that the cells have taken up the plasmid ( i.e. the transgene is present)
- Show that the cells are expressing the protein
- Determine whether the protein has pro- or anti-apoptotic properties or no effect.
She explains to you that in order to publish the material you will need to show evidence of any effect on apoptosis by at least 3 different methods relying on different characteristics of apoptosis.
In designing your experiments you need to clearly explain[unique_solution]
- Your rationale for the use of each experiment
- The controls that you will use to be confident in your results
- What your conclusions will be based on the different possible outcomes for each experiment.
To put your experiments in context include an introductory paragraph on apoptosis, its importance in the field of cancer biology and the characteristics used to identify cells dying via apoptotic mechanisms.
Intended Learning Outcomes
In satisfactorily completing this assessment students will have demonstrated:
- An ability to apply knowledge of mechanisms of apoptotic cell death and the relationship of the Bcl-2 family of proteins to apoptosis in a practical application.
- Basic understanding of common molecular biology techniques used to study proteins over-expressed in cell lines.
- An ability to apply several different assays for determining the presence of apoptotic cell death
- Proficiency with the use of and importance of controls in experimental design.
- Effective communication of an experimental plan in a written format