Workshop Detail - Summer Institute

(9-12): SCREAM: Cancer and the Environment
presented by Robin Fuchs-Young, Ph.D. (UTMDACC), Stephanie Shirley, Ph.D. (UTMDACC)
Curriculum Developed by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC)

The Community Outreach Education Program of the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has designed a web-based curriculum enhancement to teach students about the interaction between genetics and the environment in determining cancer risk. SCREAM, an acronym for Student Cancer Research Education and Assessment Module, contains current scientific information along with interactive, animated learning exercises, virtual experiments and self-tests. The goal of the module is to enhance environmental health science education and to encourage students to make healthy lifestyle choices, including reduction of sun exposure, avoidance of tobacco and improvement of diet. Supports Biology, Chemistry, Health, Advanced Health, Anatomy Physiology, Environmental Science and Physics.

In this section, the basic concepts of DNA and genes are reviewed and animations visually illustrate base pairing, transcription and translation. Students learn about oncogenes, tumor suppressors and gene modifiers and their role in carcinogenesis. Scientific techniques such as DNA sequencing are illustrated by animated activities in which the student can “read” a genetic sequence from a gel.

The processes involved in cell growth and division have fascinated scientists for over a century and are directly relevant to cancer and other important medical problems. This section explains the cell cycle and the cellular “checkpoints” where damage in DNA may be detected. Students will learn that the mutation of important genes can cause disruption in the cell cycle. The protein products of mutated genes no longer fulfill their obligations as cell cycle regulators. Without the appropriate cell regulators, cells may begin to divide abnormally leading to the development of cancerous tumors.

Scientists use a sophisticated instrument called a flow cytometer to study the cell cycle. Visitors to this site will learn how a flow cytometer works and have an opportunity to test their flow cytometry knowledge by investigating the cell cycle, programmed cell death (apoptosis), and cell viability.

A gene tutorial, including Gregor Mendel's historic study of the garden pea is presented. Dominant and recessiv e alleles are explained and students learn to identify genotypes and phenotypes. In addition, the students learn about the detection of genetic mutations and how to identify which DNA “samples”, contain the mutation associated with cystic fibrosis. Pedigrees and genetic predisposition to disease are also discussed and illustrated.

In this section students explore environmental risk factors and the concept of individual susceptibility. It is important that students understand that and tobacco, sun and diet factors that can increase the likelihood of getting certain diseases. An important concept for coming of age adults is that several of the most significant risk factors are avoidable-those a person can control through steps to mitigate risk.

The material builds on basic concepts in previous sections and teaches about the impact of smoking and tobacco products on the body. Demonstrations about the effect of cigarette smoke on the p53 tumor suppressor gene and the tissue damage caused by tobacco products such as smokeless tobacco, “chew” or snuff is included. New information about the disproportionate risk of cancer and lung disease in young smokers is also presented.

Obesity contributes significantly to a variety of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. Today, one-third of all Americans are overweight and almost 300,000 deaths can be attributed to poor nutrition and a lack of exercise. In this section, students learn that a healthy cancer prevention diet may reduce lifetime cancer risk by up to 30%. Basic concepts of nutrition are introduced and definitions of calorie, carbohydrate, protein fiber and fat are reviewed.

A problem facing residents of the “sun belt” is the increasing incidence of skin cancers, including deadly melanoma. In this section, students learn about the visible and invisible spectrum of light and the health effects from over exposure to UVA and UVB radiation. The concepts of DNA damage and repair and genetic regulation and mutation are reinforced in this section. Data that contradicts the common misconception that tanning beds are “safe” and practical information about sunscreens is also included.

Trainers: Robin Fuchs-Young, Ph.D.

Dr. Fuchs-Young is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Carcinogenesis, has been a Center member since 1997 and has served as the COEP director since 1999. Under her direction, the COEP has expanded their K-16 educational programming and has developed many new initiatives. In addition to directing the COEP, Dr. Fuchs-Young has a basic research program focused on understanding mechanisms of mammary tumorigenesis. She also participates in a variety of educational activities, including providing didactic lectures for graduate students and mentoring postdoctoral fellows, students and teacher fellows as well as participation in professional development workshops for K-12 educators at the national, state and local levels.

Workshop Detail: Thursday, July 23, 2009