BLAST computer lab
Use nucleotide BLAST to compare an unknown DNA sequence against a database and read the hit table.
BLAST hit table screenshot with top organism name and percent identity annotated; one-sentence identification statement; control run result.
- 1Do thisUse nucleotide BLAST to compare an unknown DNA sequence against a database and read the hit table.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisLab report: BLAST hit table screenshot with top organism name and percent identity annotated; one-sentence identification statement; control run result.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions) › DNA identification, sequencing, BLAST, controls, query coverage, and E-value. › Lab reportOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: How does comparing a DNA sequence to a database of known sequences reveal the identity of an unknown organism?
- 0-8 minOpen NCBI BLAST; review the interface and identify the query box, database selector, and results area
- 8-20 minCopy unknown sequence from case file into a scratch doc; paste into BLAST query box and run search
- 20-35 minRead the hit table: find top organism name and percent identity; screenshot and save to portfolio folder
- 35-50 minRun the teacher-provided control sequence; compare results to expected organism to validate workflow
- 50-65 minWrite one sentence naming the likely organism and citing the percent identity as evidence
- 65-80 minShare results with a partner; compare top hits and discuss any discrepancies
- • NCBI BLAST is a free public tool used by researchers worldwide; learning it today gives you a skill you can use in any biology career.
- • The same database you'll search holds sequences from every outbreak pathogen ever identified.
- • Work carefully and save your results immediately; a lost screenshot means starting over.
- • Exit goal: a screenshot of your hit table and one sentence naming the likely organism.
- 1Copy the unknown DNA sequence from the case file into a scratch document so you do not lose it.
- 2Go to NCBI BLAST, choose nucleotide BLAST, and paste your sequence into the query box.
- 3Run the search, then read the top hit's organism name and percent identity.
- 4Take a screenshot of the hit table for your portfolio.
- 5Run a control sequence the teacher provides to confirm the workflow behaves.
- 6Write one sentence naming the likely organism and the evidence behind it.
- • You will be able to run a nucleotide BLAST search.
- • You will be able to read an organism name and percent identity from a hit table.
- • You will be able to use a control to check your workflow.
- • BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) aligns a query sequence against millions of known sequences and returns the closest matches.
- • The hit table shows organism name, percent identity, and E-value; the top hit with the highest identity and lowest E-value is the best match.
- • Running a known control sequence confirms the tool and your workflow are working correctly before trusting an unknown result.
Your PLTW work today
DNA identification, sequencing, BLAST, controls, query coverage, and E-value. · BLAST computer lab
Day 2 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Activity 1.1.3 Using DNA to Identify Pathogens in myPLTW and retrieve the unknown sequence from the case file for the BLAST computer lab.
Run both the unknown and control sequences in BLAST; screenshot the hit table.
Sequencing summary and BLAST question should be done (Tuesday); hit table screenshot due today.
Hit table screenshot in portfolio folder and identification sentence in notebook.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
DNA identification, sequencing, BLAST, controls, query coverage, and E-value. · BLAST computer lab
Open Activity 1.1.3 Using DNA to Identify Pathogens in myPLTW and retrieve the unknown sequence from the case file for the BLAST computer lab.
Sequencing summary and BLAST question should be done (Tuesday); hit table screenshot due today.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Use nucleotide BLAST to compare an unknown DNA sequence against a database and read the hit table.
- Copy the unknown DNA sequence from the case file into a scratch document so you do not lose it.
- Go to NCBI BLAST, choose nucleotide BLAST, and paste your sequence into the query box.
- Run the search, then read the top hit's organism name and percent identity.
- Take a screenshot of the hit table for your portfolio.
- Run a control sequence the teacher provides to confirm the workflow behaves.
- Write one sentence naming the likely organism and the evidence behind it.
Lab report: BLAST hit table screenshot with top organism name and percent identity annotated; one-sentence identification statement; control run result.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Copy the unknown DNA sequence from the case file into a scratch document so you do not lose it. | _______ |
| Go to NCBI BLAST, choose nucleotide BLAST, and paste your sequence into the query box. | _______ |
| Run the search, then read the top hit's organism name and percent identity. | _______ |
| Take a screenshot of the hit table for your portfolio. | _______ |
| Run a control sequence the teacher provides to confirm the workflow behaves. | _______ |
| Write one sentence naming the likely organism and the evidence behind it. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- You will be able to run a nucleotide BLAST search.
- You will be able to read an organism name and percent identity from a hit table.
- You will be able to use a control to check your workflow.
Teacher-posted resources
Classroom documents for this lesson. Ones marked “Open the file” open right here; the rest are posted in Schoology. Use the label on each card to choose the right move.
Open this when the class reaches this activity and use it to complete the required lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Pathogen identification, PCR, sequencing, BLAST by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-1_How-to-Fight-Infection/1.1_The-Mystery-Infection; keywords:blast, sequencing, pathogen, dna, identification. Score 162. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this after the required lesson work when you are ready for a harder application or a deeper connection.
Placement rationale
Matched Pathogen identification, PCR, sequencing, BLAST by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-1_How-to-Fight-Infection/00_Unit-Overview; keywords:blast, pathogen, dna, identification. Score 150. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Pathogen identification, PCR, sequencing, BLAST by path:Medical-Interventions/Unit-1_How-to-Fight-Infection/00_Unit-Overview; keywords:blast, pcr, pathogen, identification. Score 150. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
How to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Lab & supplies
- • No biological materials in this session; standard computer lab rules apply.
- • Remind students not to close the BLAST results page before screenshotting; use Ctrl+S or Cmd+Shift+4 to capture.
- • Students should save the screenshot immediately to a portfolio folder, not just the desktop.
This unit's vocabulary
Tap the speaker to hear a term. Weekly vocabulary task: add two of these terms to your notebook glossary with a definition and an example in your own words.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
If you miss the computer lab, run the same unknown sequence through the public NCBI BLAST web tool from home, screenshot the hit table, and submit your top-hit identification.
NCBI BLAST (web)Then submit your Lab report on Schoology.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
NCBI BLAST- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Tue, Feb 2, 2027 · BLAST computer lab here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project