Cases in Industry Practice in Biotechnology (CIPB)
These instructional materials were developed in collaboration with industry partners and utilize a case-method approach with hands-on laboratory components. The case studies focus on promoting student understanding of and facility with workplace skills needed to function efficiently, effectively, and safely in entry-level biotechnology careers.The case studies allow students to read or view a real-life situation that models a dilemma faced by a technician in industry. These cases provide a forum for problem-based learning in which the dilemmas faced by the technician may not have a “right” or “wrong” solution. The students discuss the case and struggle with the issues themselves and then apply their knowledge in a hands-on laboratory exercise.
The case studies and laboratory procedures are appropriate for high school, community college, and university levels. They are primarily targeted at educational institutions with programs or course offerings in biotechnology. The case studies and labs assume a basic knowledge of laboratory skills (e.g., preparing molar solutions, general safety measures, how to operate standard laboratory equipment such as micropipettors and centrifuges). In addition, basic knowledge of general and molecular biology is helpful, although the cases and labs are accompanied by appendices that provide necessary information about the fundamental concepts presented in each case.The students read and discuss the case and struggle with the embedded issues themselves in this real-world context—thereby sharpening the students’ own knowledge of and facility with similar issues that they will likely face once in the workforce. Instructors facilitate these discussions using a “KWL” approach (the KWL approach engages students in responding to the following series of questions: What do we Know? What do we Want to know? What have we Learned?). Most materials are available through the links below. Facilitators guides are provided with course-in-a-box access.
For a more detailed overview, click here.
For a diagram of the relationship of the Case Studies to a typical Biotechnology workplace, click here
Case Studies:
I. It's as Easy as Pulling A Hair
Developed in partnership with the Stanford Human Genome Center & Kaiser Permanente
Developed in partnership with CV Therapeutics
Developed in partnership with LifeScan
Developed in partnernship with Stratagene, Inc.
Developed in partnership with Inhale, Inc.
Developed in partership with Bio101
Case 1: It’s as Easy as Pulling a Hair
Developed in partnership with the Stanford Human Genome Center & Kaiser Permanente
This case features a young man who has received positive test results for a gene marker that suggests he is at risk for developing brain cancer. After initially panicking, he consults a genetic counselor about the significance of the test results. The counselor questions the validity of the test, due to the lack of appropriate population studies, and pursues the company that developed the test with her practical and ethical concerns.
Students act as both technician and subject as they conduct a hands-on PCR lab with RFLP analysis of DNA samples gathered from their class population. This accomplished, students begin building their own database for a larger population study. For instructional materials, click on the links below. These materials include the case study, Laboratory Procedure, Appendix, and PCR Slides. A facilitator guide is also available here after log-in.
Case Study: It's as Easy as Pulling a Hair
Amplification Size Molecular Ruler (Bio-Rad)
Case 2: Lighten Up
Developed in partnership with CV Therapeutics
This case describes a research technician with information on a specific protein which is missing from cells isolated from several cancer patients. Students attempt to explain the absent protein through the associated lab, which involves transfection of mammalian cells with two DNA constructs containing the luciferase gene (the reporter gene) and the regulatory region of a cyclin gene. Following transfection, the students assay for activity of a given construct by measuring the intensity of light production via the luciferase gene product. For instructional materials, click on the links below. These materials include the Case Study, Laboratory Procedure, and an Appendix. A facilitator guide is also available here after log-in.
Case Study 3: Enzyme Endurance
Developed in partnership with LifeScan
In this case, students receive an introduction to biomedical device production and Quality Control through an examination of glucometer strips. Students are introduced to the importance of blood glucose level testing in the diabetic individual, and gain an understanding of the importance of instrument calibration and quality control of manufactured products. Students will perform a small-scale test production run of the enzyme strip manufacturing SOP. Following the production of the strips, students will assay the strips they produced to ensure that they meet QC specifications. Wrap-up activities include students troubleshooting the case scenario again to decide probable causes of the failure of the membrane batch that was pulled from the production line at Glubeter Enterprises. For instructional materials, follow the links below. These materials include the Case Study, Appendix, Laboratory Procedure, and the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). A facilitator guide is also available here after log-in.
Case 5: Under Pressure
Developed in partnership with Inhale, Inc.
This case introduces students to the area of regulatory affairs in which they investigate a possible problem with a blood pressure cuff. Students conduct Internet searches with respect to components of the blood pressure cuff to determine causality. The context of the blood pressure cuff problem introduces students to the field of immunology, specifically allergy- and asthma-related conditions. Ultimately, students are responsible for informing the company of the FDA regulations affecting the cuff and for determining how to handle continued production of the cuff. To access instructional materials, click on the links below. These include the case study, and the appendix. There is no wet lab component for this case study. A facilitator guide is also available here after log-in.
Case 4: An Ultra Bad Hair Day
Developed in Partnership with Stratagene
In this case study, students grapple with issues relating to quality control. In this scenario, a product coordinator at a fictitious company (Ecco Hair Design) discovers that there is a problem with a shampoo after receiving a letter of complaint from a well-known model. The conceptual focus of this case/lab is on protein purification, and the lab requires students to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Students may also choose to design a revised SOP as a completion to the lab. For instructional materials, follow the links below. These include the case study, the SOP, Appendix, and the Laboratory Procedure. A facilitator guide is also available here after log-in.
Laboratory Procedure: Ultra Bad Hair Day
UBHD Standard Operating Procedure
Case 6: Exercise Your Options
Developed in partnership with Bio 101
This scenario focuses on a start-up company seeking qualified research assistants/associates for assay development. The two-part case study begins with the job application process. Students prepare their resumes and practice interview skills. In the lab activity, students order the complete set of reagents needed to perform an ELISA from a web-based biotech distributor. After ordering the reagents, students conduct the ELISA. These materials include the Case Study, Laboratory Procedure, Appendix, Student Worksheet, Purchase Requisition Form, and a Catalog Exercise. A facilitator guide is also available here after log-in.
Case Study, Exercise Your Options
Appendix, Exercise Your Options