Real-life Roslin Research| Genome Editing: Which little piggy?

A hands-on workshop working with scientists and exploring genome editing. This workshop gives a real insight and practical hands-on experience on what life in the lab is like here at The Roslin Institute. Students will be introduced to the current, cutting-edge research of Dr Christine Tait-Burkard and her team who have used genome editing technology to engineer pigs that are genetically resistant to an infectious disease called porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). 

Learning Level: Upper Secondary (16+)*

Location: Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre, University of Edinburgh Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG

Minimum attendance: 16**

Maximum attendance: 30

Duration: 3 hours

Times: 10am - 1pm 

Cost: £15 per pupil (international students)

Thank you for your interest in this workshop, this academic year we will not be offering this workshop as part of our learning programme. To remain updated about our workshops, events and exciting opportunities please  sign up to our mailing list and/or follow us on Twitter @EBSOClab. In the meantime, why not check out our classroom resources that are free to download!

Workshop Description

Students will be introduced to the current, cutting-edge research of Dr Christine Tait-Burkard and her team who have used genome-editing technology to engineer pigs that are genetically resistant to an infectious disease called porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The workshop will reveal how they use molecular biology techniques to genotype engineered pigs. 

Learning Objectives

  • To understand how scientific research is used to solve global animal health and welfare problems
  • To develop scientific thinking and critical analysis skills
  • To understand how gene editing works and can be used in the lab
  • To understand that we can identify genotypes using DNA profiling
  • To interpret and discuss experimental results
  • To reveal the world of work in scientific research

Techniques Used

  • Micro-pipetting
  • Centrifugation
  • DNA gel electrophoresis

Workshop outline

  • Introduction to genome editing
  • Introduction to micropipettes
  • Preparation of DNA for fragment analysis
  • DNA electrophoresis using agarose gels
  • Analysis and interpretation of results
  • Ethical discussion about use of genome edited animals in farming  

Availability

Thank you for your interest in this workshop, this academic year we will not be offering this workshop as part of our learning programme. Why not check out classroom resources that are free to download!

 

Important Notes

*    The participants need to be confident with the following terms: alleles, homozygous, heterozygous, mutation, transcription, translation,

      gel electrophoresis, recessive, dominant.

**  Please contact us ebsoc@ed.ac.uk if your group falls below the minimum as we may be able to accommodate your request

      through our small groups waiting list.

 

Downloadable Resources 

Risk Assessment 
Workshop Description 

 

Read more about the science behind the workshop

Precision engineering for PRRSV resistance in pigs: Macrophages from genome edited pigs lacking CD163 SRCR5 domain are fully resistant to both PRRSV genotypes while maintaining biological function Burkard, C, Lillico, S, Reid, E, Jackson, B, Mileham, AJ, Ait-Ali, T, Whitelaw, C & Archibald, A 2017 

Genome Editing for Disease Resistance in Livestock Proudfoot, C & Tait-Burkard, C 2017

Testimonials

Allowed me to use industry equipment not available on my course, as well as seeing real labs.

International Secondary Pupil

It was very informal therefore learners felt at ease and were comfortable answering and asking questions. The questions asked were thought provoking and enabled learners to apply their previous knowledge.

International Secondary Teacher

 

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