Devil’s Advocates
A full day student conference run by Melbourne Zoo in partnership with the Gene Technology Access Centre.

Devil’s Advocates is an in depth case study of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease. Students will explore how a wide range of science and conservation organisations are currently uniting in the field and in the lab in order to save the Tasmanian Devil from extinction.

The program takes place at two venues - Melbourne Zoo in the morning and the Gene Technology Access Centre in the afternoon.

At Melbourne Zoo

Students will examine the story of the Tasmanian Devil, focusing on devil facial tumour disease and how our understanding of this devastating illness has evolved over time.

Students will learn first-hand how Zoos Victoria is currently working to save Tasmanian Devils through both in-situ and ex-situ breeding and research programs. They will see how the concepts they have learnt about in VCE Biology are being used in real life to save this endangered species.

Students will also be asked to consider the ethical dilemmas faced when trying to save an endangered species, and contemplate how understanding a new type of contagious disease in our increasingly globally connected world could have unforeseen importance in the future.

At GTAC

The devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) within the Tasmanian Devil population could result in devil extinction. However, emerging research reveals that this disease is a strong selection pressure leading to changes in areas of the devil genome related to immune function and cancer risk. This research suggests that Tasmanian devils are evolving resistance to DFTD.

Students will analyse DNA samples that were collected from Tasmanian devil populations before and after the emergence of DFTD. They will use bioinformatics tools to search for Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that have changed in frequency in the population as a response to the DFTD selection pressure. These regions, that show strong positive selection, contain genes. Students will conduct a nucleotide BLAST to identify what the genes might be.

In the laboratory students will consider a potential biotechnical application for selecting captive devils for reintroduction into the wild. Using DNA manipulation techniques they will determine the alleles that a devil has for a gene thought to confer resistance to DFTD.

The activities in this program can be used as the basis for two School Assessed Coursework tasks for the current VCE Biology Study Design:

Unit 4 AOS 1 SAC task:

Analyse evidence for evolutionary change - A report using primary or secondary data.

Unit 4 AOS2 SAC task:

Describe how tools and techniques can be used to manipulate DNA, explain how biological knowledge is applied to biotechnical applications, and analyse the interrelationship between scientific knowledge and its applications in society - A response to an issue.

Logistics

Cost / $65 per student
Available dates / Thursday 6th September 2018
Friday 7th September 2018
Thursday 13th September 2018
Friday 14th September 2018
Thursday 20th September 2018
Duration / All dates run from 8:45am to 3:15 pm
Age Requirement / Suitable for students studying VCE Biology Units 3 and 4.
Accessibility / Wheelchair accessible
Inclusions / Light morning tea provided
Supervision / All students should be registered through their school and accompanied by a teacher on the day. Accompanying teachers are responsible for student welfare and duty of care at all times.
One supervising teacher admitted free of charge per ten students booked.
What to bring / Students should be appropriately dressed for any weather and bring a pen. A light morning tea will be provided but this will not include drinks. While food and drink is available for purchase it is recommended students bring their own as time available to purchase these will be limited. Teachers will be emailed the student workbook and support materials during Term 3. Teachers will need to print a copy of the workbook for each of their students to use on the day.
Arrival / Arrive at the Railgate Entrance of Melbourne Zoo with your email confirmation letter. Staff will meet and greet there at the designated time
Getting there / There is public transport access to Melbourne Zoo and GTAC. Parking is available at Melbourne Zoo at a flat rate of $2.00 for 5 hours
Teachers and students will need to organise their own transport between Melbourne Zoo and GTAC. Free, on street parking is available outside GTAC, however it is time limited. Alternatively participants can walk between the two; they should allow 40 minutes.

For additional information or to make a booking please call 1300 966 784