Teaching the Genome Generation: Cancer Genetics Module

This Cancer Genetics module is part of a suite of curriculum from The Jackson Laboratory which aims to teach quantitative and data analysis skills in the context of genetics and bioinformatics. The module centers around a futuristic theme on newborn sequencing. Fast forward many years in the future to a time when newborns receive whole genome sequencing which generates a Newborn Genomic Report that is added their medical records. Gene variants associated with increased risk for cancer would be detailed on the report and an individual with such a gene variant would be at risk for hereditary cancer. The first lesson includes an activity in which you will use a publicly available database for cancer genomics called the cBioPortal to analyze real patient data. In the second activity, you will use BLAST to identify gene variants carried by different members within a family, emphasizing inheritance and taking a backwards approach to pedigrees. An extension activity focuses on the concept that cancer is complex disease, illustrating the interaction between genes and the environment. The module concludes with discussion prompts centered around the bioethics of cancer genetic testing. Additional resources for this module include cBioPortal video tutorials and BLAST video tutorials. If you are a teacher interested in implementing this module with your students, check out our teacher guide and webinar describing the module.

Topics

• mutated genes
• gene sequencing
• medical consent
• cancer genetics
• cBioPortal
• hereditary cancers
• CDKN2A
• mutation
• dominant allele
• penetrance
• melanoma
• skin cancer
• newborn genomics report