• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Joyful Microbe

Microbiology Made Fun and Simple

  • Start Here
  • About
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Start Here
  • About
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Find Plastic-Degrading Bacteria via Sequencing Simulation

July 2, 2024 //  by Justine Dees

The activity below was contributed by Angie Beckett during our podcast interview and created by Josephine Herbert and Samuel Robson.

DNA sequencing is a powerful tool that allows scientists to understand the genetic makeup of organisms, including bacteria that can degrade plastic. By examining the DNA sequences, researchers can identify specific genes that enable these bacteria to break down plastic materials. This process involves decoding the DNA to reveal the order of the nucleotides, which are represented by different colors in this activity. By simulating this process, participants will gain a hands-on understanding of how scientists identify and analyze plastic-degrading bacteria in the lab.

Understanding the genetic basis of plastic degradation is crucial for developing biotechnological solutions to plastic pollution. Bacteria with the ability to break down plastics can be engineered and utilized in recycling processes, reducing environmental waste. This activity will simulate the discovery and identification of such bacteria through a fun and interactive approach, using eggs, color codes, and building blocks to represent DNA sequences.

Materials

  • Bacteria – plastic eggs or small container for sequences
  • Decorations – markers or stickers for decorating the eggs
  • Sequences – different printed color blocks in a row in order of sequence (according to the DNA Key Chart)
  • Legos – in same colors as sequences to build them
  • Printable Documents found in Google Drive Folder for Activity (thanks to Angie Beckett, Josephine Herbert, and Samuel Robson for these materials!)
    • Sequences Color Chart – document with sequences to print out
    • DNA Key Chart – shows which color sequences correspond to plastic-degrading genes
    • Activity Background Info – How do enzymes work

Instructions

Preparation

  1. Create Bacteria Eggs:
    • Decorate the plastic eggs or egg carton sections to represent different bacteria. You can add eyes, smiles, or other features to give them personality.
    • Inside each egg, place paper sequences arranged in a specific color sequence (see Sequences Color Chart). This represents the DNA code of the bacteria.
  2. DNA Key Chart:
    • Print the DNA Key Chart, which contains “The Library” of different color sequences and indicates if the bacteria can degrade plastic or not.

Activity Steps

  1. Distribute Materials:
    • Give each participant a bacteria egg.
  2. Break Open the Bacteria:
    • Participants break open their eggs to reveal the DNA code inside, represented by the paper sequences.
  3. Build the sequence:
    • Participants take their paper DNA sequence and build it with Legos.
  4. Match to the Key:
    • Participants then take their Lego-built DNA sequence to the DNA Key Chart and match the color sequence to determine if their bacteria can degrade plastic or not.
  5. Discussion:
    • Gather participants and discuss the results. Which bacteria had the plastic-degrading genes? How do scientists use DNA sequencing in real-world applications to solve environmental problems?

Wrap-Up

This activity not only teaches participants about DNA sequencing and genetic analysis but also highlights the importance of scientific research in addressing global challenges like plastic pollution. By engaging in this hands-on simulation, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of genetic research and the innovative solutions being developed to create a more sustainable future.

Category: Educator Resources, Microbiology ActivitiesTag: sustainability

About the Founder

Hey there!

I’m Justine Dees, a PhD microbiologist, huge microbe enthusiast, and my passion is to share the wonders of the microbial world — especially how microbes impact our daily lives — through simple, easy-to-understand articles with as little jargon as possible.

Learn More

Follow on Social Media

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Previous Post: « Beyond Traditional Recycling: Harnessing Microbes to Combat Plastic Pollution
Next Post: Making Microscopy Accessible with Foldscope: Holly Stuart »

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to the Joyful Microbe!

Hi there, I’m Justine Dees, PhD, your friend the microbiologist

You’ve landed on a slice of the internet where you can learn the coolest stuff about microbes, especially how they impact our daily lives. Here, you’ll find easy-to-understand articles and podcast episodes to help you enjoy and respect the microbial world, resources to further your microbiology knowledge, and hands-on activities to reveal the bacteria, fungi, and other invisible creatures all around you. I’m thrilled you’re here.

Learn More
 

Search

Want more microbiology in your life?

Discover how to enjoy microbes in your daily life by downloading this free guide.
 

You will notice microbes more often and learn new ways to have fun with them through hands-on microbiology activities.
 

To receive this guide, please subscribe to the Joyful Microbe newsletter. Don’t worry, you can unsubscribe at any time.

Categories

Recent Posts

  • The Impact of Alcohol on the Gut Microbiome: Andrew Day
  • Kid-Friendly Gut Health Activity: Make Your Own Emulsifier-Free Dressing
  • A Reliable Gut Health Resource: Insights from Gut Health for Dummies with Kristina Campbell
  • Science-Backed Approaches to Gut Health: Kristina Campbell
  • Elizabeth Bugie Gregory: A Forgotten Figure in Streptomycin Discovery

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsSpotifyRedCircle

Support Joyful Microbe

Hey microbe friend! If you enjoy how I share about the microbial world, I'd love it if you would support me.

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Work With Me

Join the Joyful Microbe Community!

Subscribe to receive the weekly newsletter, and you’ll be the first to hear about the latest blog posts, podcast episodes, and resources!

  • Resources
  • Joyful Microbiology Activities ebook
  • 7 Ways to Enjoy Microbes in Your Daily Life Guide
  • Joyful Winogradsky Column Guide
  • Quick Start Guide to Using the Microscope
  • Kickstart Your Microbiology Career
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclosure Policy

© 2018–2025 Justine Dees, PhD, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

FREE WORKBOOK

Winogradsky Column Workbook

A free workbook for educators and microbe enthusiasts who want to make a Winogradsky column and track its progress. It will walk you through what to track and provides space for you to document up to 8 weeks of results.

GET THE WORKBOOK

This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential, while others help us to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more detailed information on the cookies we use and what information is collected, please see our Privacy Policy. Click Ok to accept the usage of cookies.OkPrivacy policy