iDNAfication Help - SWBIC - Southwest Biotechnology and Informatics Center

Introduction
Game Play Screens and Controls
Game Results Screen
1. Mystery Solved Screen
  1. Responsible Individual
  2. Solve the Mystery!
2. Final Result
Hardware and Software Considerations
Introduction
1. Purpose
  The iDNAfication game is an interactive, Web-based program that is designed
  as a teaching aid for high school students (course, subject matter, i.e.,
  Forensics). The intent of the game is to challenge the student/player to
  perform an identification task of some urgency using biology/forensics lab
  techniques. The player will determine the responsible individual from a random
  suspect list by using these analytical techniques; including polymerase chain
  reaction (PCR) and DNA blood typing.
  
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2. General Features of the
  GameDuring the game, the player is presented with a series of screens or pages
  which:
  1. Establish player identification;
  2. Inform the player about general features of the precipitating incident and
    the nature of the sample provided for examination;
  3. Provide the player with a budget from which test costs and penalties will
    be deducted;
  4. Enable the player to pick the techniques and steps to be performed in the
    correct order on a given turn;
  5. Present the player with a video clip of procedures being performed;
  6. Present the player with a written interpretation for each test result; and
  7. Allow for identification of the responsible individual based upon test
    interpretation.
  Various controls are provided for player access to an online procedure manual
  that contains descriptions of the tests and techniques used for identification
  during the game.
  
  The game entry screen has a link for teachers to customize the game for classroom
  use and input their students into the game. Those teachers that wish to customize
  the game should contact SWBIC
  ([email protected]), as this option
  is password protected. Incorporation of students into the game ensures that
  the list of suspects and the responsible individual are students from the
  class. Some technique modules can also be simplified for instances when classroom
  time is limited.
  
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3. Basic Game Procedures
  and Strategy
  
  Upon receiving a blood sample, the player performs the following tests in
  this order: blood typing, DNA isolation, gender typing, and DNA fingerprinting
  (all details regarding the specific procedures for each test can be found
  in the procedure manual).
  
  As results from the tests become available, an interpretation is provided
  for the player to use in the elimination of suspects. Suspects are eliminated
  by checking them off of the suspect list, available for the player to view
  in each module.
  
  The test results at the end of a module will lead to a significant number
  of eliminated suspects. The final module (DNA fingerprinting) will definitively
  point to the responsible individual. The player should then (at the main
  laboratory screen) select “Mystery Solved!” to identify the responsible
  individual. If the player has identified the responsible individual correctly,
  they will receive a final report (printable) that contains information about
  the player’s game and a comparison to an optimal game. If the identification
  is incorrect, the player will have the choice to start the game over with
  the same responsible individual (still unknown), or to go on to a final report.
  
  Various costs are deducted from the player’s initial budget during the game.
  The price of performing each test is deducted when it is performed. The price
  of each test is multiplied by the number of total (remaining) suspects. The
  player is penalized if he/she must perform the test again (i.e., if the wrong
  steps are chosen).
  
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4. Programmer
  Comments
  
  iDNAfication is best viewed with Internet Explorer version 4.0 or
  later. If viewed with Netscape version 3.0 or later or Netscape Communicator
  the animation may unexpectedly stop, if this happens click on the “repeat”
  button to view the entire animation.
  
  When playing the game, please allow for the result interpretation page for each module to fully
  download before returning to the main lab page. If the player does not allow for the page to fully
  load, the game may not recognize that the module has been completed.
  
  If playing with Internet Explorer the player may be asked to download “Microsoft
  Vitural Machne” in order to play the game. If the player does not do so,
  they will not be able to view the Java applications within the game. Downloading
  this software will not cause problems to your systerm and is required to
  view any Java applications while using Internet Explorer.
  
  When customizing a game, the teacher may choose to not perform modules. If
  the teacher chooses this option for their students’ customized game, the
  students need not know the steps for that specific module; however, the students
  must hit “repeat” within the module to view the animation of the steps.
  
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Game Play Screens and Controls
1. Entry ScreenWhen the player first invokes the iDNAfication game, an entry screen is
  displayed. This screen contains links to various documents regarding the
  game and game play. Actual game play begins when the player clicks on the
  “Learn the Mystery” button on the entry page.
  1. Help PagePlayers of any skill level are entitled to consult the iDNAfication help
    guide (this document) without penalty. Access to this document is obtained
    by clicking on the help page link or the “help page” graphic near the telephone
    in the main laboratory.
    
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  2. Frequently Asked
    QuestionsAnswers and information regarding the most frequently asked questions by
    players of iDNAfication.
    
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  3. CreditsA link that lists the multiple individuals associated with the concept,
    development, and testing of this package.
    
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  4. Player Check InThe player has the option to play the game with their name. If the player
    does not provide a name, one will be generated for them. If the player wishes
    to use their name, simply input their name in the appropriate box.Students playing with a number provided by their teacher must also enter
    their name. This is necessary for their teacher to know that they played
    the game, as well as how they performed.
    
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  5. Teacher
    Initialization Input FormThe teacher initialization input allows a teacher to customize the game and
    incorporate students into the game suspect list.
    
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  6. Student Input
    FormStudents playing an in-class activity, or for a classroom assignment, should
    be provided with a string of numbers and letters from their instructor. The
    student should enter this string of characters into the student input box.
    Doing this ensures that the student plays the game as specified by their
    instructor.
    
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  7. Learn about the
    MysteryAfter the player has entered his/her name and student initialization number
    (if applicable), the “Learn about the Mystery” button is selected to begin
    playing the game. The player is then taken to “The Mystery” to learn about
    the precipitating incident and the nature of the sample left behind.
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2. Teacher Initialization Input FormThe teacher initialization input allows a teacher to customize the game and
  incorporate students into the game suspect list. After contacting SWBIC
  ([email protected]) and receiving
  the password for teacher initialization input, the teacher may input information
  regarding students and game criteria. That is, the teacher may choose which
  modules the students must perform by procedure selection. The teacher may
  also select modules that will be performed without procedure selection.When teacher initialization is complete, the teacher is provided with a generated
  string of characters, specific to the teacher, for the students to input
  into the student input box. These characters will be both numbers and letters,
  and will be the same for each student. This number should be given to the
  students to input when they are ready to begin playing the game. The number
  is entered into the student input box. The student must also enter his/her
  name into the name field in order for the teacher to verify the student’s
  proficiency. When both the number and the student’s name have been entered,
  the “Learn the Mystery!” button is selected to begin playing the game.
  
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3. The Mystery
  1. The Mystery!The Mystery! is a brief narrative of the precipitating incident with information
    regarding the nature of the sample left behind. The narrative is non-gender
    specific and therefore does not provide any clues as to the gender of the
    suspect. The final sentence of the narrative asks the player for help in
    determining the responsible individual, and also provides the player with
    a spending amount that he or she must not exceed while playing the game.
    
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  2. Solve the
    Mystery!After the player has read the mystery and determined the nature of the sample
    left behind, the “Solve the Mystery!” button is selected to begin playing
    the game and the player is taken to the main laboratory screen.
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4. Main Laboratory Screen
  1. Blood Typing
    MaterialsThe blood typing materials are used to perform the blood typing procedure
    and this section of the lab image can be selected to access the blood typing
    module.
    
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  2. CentrifugeA centrifuge is used in DNA isolation. The centrifuge in the main lab image
    can be selected to enter the DNA Isolation module.
    
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  3. PCRThe PCR machine is used for gender typing procedures and can be selected
    to enter the DNA Gender Typing module..
    
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  4. DNA Fingerprinting Electrophoresis
    UnitThe DNA Fingerprinting Electrophoresis unit in the main lab image can be
    selected to enter the RFLP DNA Fingerprinting module.
    
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  5. Help PagePlayers of any skill level are entitled to consult the iDNAfication help
    guide (this document) without penalty. Access to this document is obtained
    by clicking on the help page link or the “help page” graphic near the telephone
    in the main laboratory.
    
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  6. Scientific Procedures
    ManualLess experienced players may need help in deciding the order in which to
    perform the analysis procedures and the order in which the steps for each
    procedure are performed. A procedures manual is provided for this purpose,
    and is accessed by clicking on the “Scientific Procedures Manual” link in
    the main laboratory graphic.
    
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  7. ModulesThe procedures presented in this game have been somewhat simplified from
    those that would be used in an actual forensics laboratory setting. This
    is due to the novice status of our target audience for the game. The procedures
    are presented in enough detail to allow students to understand the principles
    underlying the processes without confusing them with a great amount of detail.
    The majority of the details that have not been presented include chemical
    and buffer names, volumes and some steps that are repeated to ensure sample
    purity. We do not intend to imply that these steps and information are not
    important, but that they will have more meaning to persons learning the
    techniques after the basic principles are understood.It should also be understood that the procedures used in the game are not
    the only possible techniques to use to answer the questions posed by the
    game. They were chosen as basic and representative methods used to answer
    the given types of questions.
    1. Blood TypingThe blood typing procedure is used to determine the blood type of each suspect.
      This procedure must be performed first as it is the least expensive and should
      be performed with the greatest number of suspects. For additional information
      regarding the procedure and steps, refer to the scientific procedures manual.
      The module may be accessed by clicking on the “Blood Typing” link or the
      blood typing materials image in the main laboratory graphic.
      
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    2. DNA IsolationThe DNA isolation procedure is used to isolate DNA for manipulation and
      amplification. It should be performed second in order to isolate DNA for
      future analysis. For additional information regarding the procedure and steps,
      refer to the scientific procedures manual. The module may be accessed by
      clicking on the “DNA Isolation” link or the centrifuge in the main laboratory
      graphic.
      
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    3. DNA Gender TypingThis is a PCR based procedure designed to determine the gender of the person
      responsible for the mystery and each suspect. The test is performed on all
      suspects because in real life situations, these tests are performed blind
      in the lab with each sample identified only by a number. This allows for
      better sample tracking and helps prevent sample tampering or prejudice. This
      procedure determines gender by amplifying a DNA sequence found only on the
      Y chromosome. For additional information regarding the procedure and steps,
      refer to the scientific procedures manual. The module may be accessed by
      clicking the “DNA Gender Typing” link or the PCR machine in the main laboratory
      graphic.
      
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    4. RFLP DNA
      FingerprintingThis procedure should be performed last because it is the most expensive
      and should therefore be performed on the least number of suspects. This procedure
      is based on restriction digest analysis of a PCR amplified region of the
      human mitochondrial genome. This analysis will provide a distinct pattern
      of bands on an agarose gel for each person analyzed and will identify the
      responsible individual from a small group of suspects. For additional information
      regarding the procedure and steps, refer to the scientific procedures manual.
      The module may be accessed by clicking the “RFLP DNA Fingerprinting” link
      or the DNA Fingerprinting Electrophoresis unit image in the main laboratory
      graphic.
      
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  8. BudgetEach player is provided with a budget at the beginning of the game in the
    final sentence of the mystery. This amount is generated by the game, based
    on the amount of the tests and the multiple times that each test should be
    performed. As a test is performed, the amount of the test is multiplied by
    the number of suspects and deducted from the player’s overall budget.
    
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  9. Suspect ListAfter the results to each test have been provided, the player uses the
    information to eliminate suspects from the suspect list.
    
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  10. Mystery Solved
    (Exit)Upon completion of the final module (DNA Fingerprinting) only one suspect
    will remain, identifying him/her as the responsible individual. When the
    player has one suspect remaining he/she may select the “Mystery Solved!”
    link or use the “Exit” door to identify the responsible individual.
    
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5. ModulesOnce a module has been selected, the player is responsible for identifying
  the correct order of the steps to be performed for completion of the module.
  All modules must be performed before identification of the responsible
  individual, unless otherwise specified by a teacher when utilizing the teacher
  initialization form. In this situation, the module must be selected but it
  will run as a demo for the student.In each module the steps for each procedure are listed in random order in
  the top list. To select a step, you simply double-click on it. When a step
  has been selected it appears in the bottom list. The order in which the steps
  are selected is the order that they will be performed. To change the order
  of the steps simply double-click on the step in the bottom list to move it
  back to the top and reselect the order. When all steps have been selected,
  click the “perform” button to view each step.
  
  After the “perform” button has been clicked, the player will see a series
  of animations depicting the procedures selected. After each step is completed,
  the player must click the “continue” button to the view the next step. When
  all the steps have been viewed the “continue” button is selected to view
  the game result obtained from the procedures performed.
  
  If the steps for each module are selected in the incorrect order, the animation
  will cease at the incorrect step. If this occurs, the player is returned
  to the main screen for the module. The player must once again select the
  steps in the order they are to be performed.
  
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  1. BudgetEach player is provided with a budget at the beginning of the game in the
    final sentence of the mystery. This amount is generated by the game, based
    on the amount of the tests and the multiple times that each test should be
    performed. As a test is performed, the amount of the test is multiplied by
    the number of suspects and deducted from the player’s overall budget.
    
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  2. Suspect ListAfter the results to each test have been provided, the player uses the
    information to eliminate suspects from the suspect list. Suspects are eliminated
    by highlighting the suspect’s name, and then selecting “update list” when
    the player has eliminated all the appropriate suspects. The suspects who
    have been eliminated are shown in the bottom list.The method for selecting a single suspect is platform-independent: simply
    scroll the window until the appropriate selection is visible and then left-click
    it with the mouse so that it is highlighted. Left clicking on the highlighted
    selection will de-select it if the player so desires.
    
    The method for selecting multiple suspects is platform-dependent. On a Windows
    platform, first depress and hold down the CTRL key and then left-click each
    desired selection. This method is recommended for non-adjacent selections.
    If a contiguous group of selections is desired, the user may hold down the
    SHIFT key instead of the CTRL key. While holding the SHIFT key down in this
    mode, the first selection in the group is left-clicked; then the LAST selection
    is left-clicked to select the entire block of suspects, which is then
    highlighted.
    
    To select multiple contiguous or separated suspects on a Macintosh, press
    and hold down the COMMAND (APPLE) key while clicking on the desired
    suspects.
    
    On UNIX-like (e.g. Linux, FreeBSD) system browsers, the user need only left-click
    on each desired selection (contiguous or not) to select or de-select it.
    Neither the CTRL nor the SHIFT keys are to be depressed during the selection
    process.
    
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6. Result Identification ScreenAfter the steps have been selected and performed, an interpretation of the
  result is provided. The interpretation is provided for the player to use
  in the elimination of suspects. Suspects are eliminated by highlighting the
  suspect’s name, and then selecting “update list” when the player has eliminated
  all the appropriate suspects. The test interpretation at the end of each
  module will lead to a significant number of eliminated suspects.
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Game Results Screen
1. Mystery Solved Screen
  1. Responsible
    IndividualAfter the final module has been interpreted only one suspect will remain,
    the player may then click on the “Mystery Solved!” link on the main laboratory
    screen and proceed to the “Mystery Solved!” identification screen. On that
    screen is a pull-down window list that is accessed by clicking on the button
    on the right side of the window. The responsible individual may then be
    highlighted and selected by clicking on the corresponding name in the list.
    
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  2. Solve the
    Mystery!When the player is certain that the correct responsible individual has been
    selected, he or she may click on the “Solve the Mystery!” button to register
    the choice and proceed to one of the game result screens.
    
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2. Final Result
  1. Correct
    IdentificationIf the player correctly identifies the responsible individual, he or she
    is presented with the correct identification screen and a conclusion to the
    mystery. The player may then click on the “view final report” button to examine
    the final budget results and the optimal test series.
    
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  2. Incorrect
    IdentificationPlayers who do not correctly identify the responsible individual will have
    the choice to start the game over with the same responsible individual (still
    unknown), or to go on to a final report.
  3. Final Result ScreenThe final result screen is a final report (printable) that contains information
    about the player’s game and a comparison to an optimal game.
    
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  4. Teacher
    Initialization Input FormThe teacher initialization input allows a teacher to customize the game and
    incorporate students into the game suspect list. This option may be accessed
    at the game entry screen or the final report page.
    
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Hardware and Software Considerations
1. PlatformiDNAfication is platform independent. It has been tested on Windows
  95 & 98, ME, XP, Linux, and FreeBSD PC’s running Netscape and Internet
  Explorer web browsers, and Macintosh’s running the Netscape browser.
2. BrowseriDNAfication is best viewed with Internet Explorer version 4.0 or
  later. If viewed with Netscape version 3.0 or later or Netscape Communicator
  the animation may unexpectedly stop, if this happens click on the “repeat”
  or “reload” button to view the entire animation.If playing with Internet Explorer the player may be asked to download “Microsoft
  Vitural Machne” in order to play the game. If the player does not do so,
  they will not be able to view the Java applications within the game. Downloading
  this software will not cause problems to your systerm and is required to
  view any Java applications while using Internet Explorer.
3. Monitor and Display
  SettingsiDNAfication depends significantly on the procedures used in DNA/forensics
  analysis. Unfortunately there may be differences in the colors seen depending
  on the player’s monitor. For the best possible color for iDNAfication the
  monitor should be set to a minimum color palette of 16 bit/64K and a preferred
  size of 1024 X 768 or greater.
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