Microarray Lesson Plans

Lesson Plans from Dr. Wes Bonds' Microarray Workshop (2009)

Teaching Genetics and Gene Expression Using Microarrays

North Carolina Biotechnology Summer Workshop
June 15-19, 2009 - Lesson Plans

Dr. Wes Bonds

The lesson plans listed below were produced by participants and workshop staff during the 2009 North Carolina Biotechnology Center’s Summer Education Workshop, Teaching Genetics and Gene Expression Using Microarrays, held at Alamance Community College June 15-19, 2009. The workshop was sponsored by a grant from the GlaxoSmithKline NC Community Partnerships Program. The lead instructor was Dr. Wes Bonds. Workshop instructional staff also included:

Mr. Bill Woodruff, Head, Alamance Community College Biotechnology Program
Mr. Scott Johnson, Biology Instructor, Wake Technical Community College
Dr. Noreen Naiman, Biology Instructor, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
Ms. Pamela Johnston, Biology Teacher, Alexander Central High School

This workshop was based on Dr. Bonds’ development of low cost microarrays for classroom use, funded by the National Science Foundation. Using microarray technology, teachers can illustrate many important concepts in genetics, genomics and biomedicine.

The lesson plans do not require using arrays hands-on (and Dr. Bonds’ microarrays are no longer available). The lesson plans do depend on a conceptual understanding of how the arrays are produced and processed in the lab. To gain that understanding, we recommend students first complete the lesson plan “What Does Smoking Really Do to Your Body?” before completing the lesson plan “Student Biodiversity Genetic Microarray Experiment”. If you have questions about these lesson plans, contact Dr. Bill Schy, Director, Education and Training Program at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

We regret to report that Dr. Bonds passed away only 3 months after the workshop. Click here to learn more about his outstanding contributions to science education.