Science Take-Out® Engineering A Living Medicine

Can genetic engineering be used to treat PKU?

• Available as a single kit with materials for 1 student or group
• Unassembled 10 pack for additional savings
• No additional equipment needed

Follow the case of a woman who has phenylketonuria (PKU). She cannot make an enzyme needed to process phenylalanine, an amino acid that is present in almost all foods that contain protein.

Simulate testing for the level of phenylalanine in the woman’s blood.

Explore how a genetically engineered chromosome can be used to turn bacteria into a 'living medicine' for people with PKU. Model the production of a 'living medicine'—bacteria that could live in the digestive tract and produce enzymes that keep phenylalanine levels low. Analyze descriptions of an experiment and a clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of the 'living medicine' bacteria.