Blog
Why an Annotate-A-Thon?
I see this project as existing in the hypothetical intersection between STEM and Compassion:
In terms of STEM, I got involved in gene annotation in 2010 through Dr. Stephen Koury at the University at Buffalo. In 2013, I was appointed a New York State Master Teacher. We were being encouraged to conduct a public lesson, where parents and educators are invited to watch. I thought Gene Annotation would make a great public lesson, because most people don’t know what it is. Next, I thought about getting the audience involved in the gene annotation process. What if we did something of biological importance? What if we used gene annotation to help fight a disease? I have spent so much time doing things for charity that don’t seem to be related to the goals of the charity like running or walking or rocking in a chair. What if the event helped with the goal? What if we crowd sourced disorder/ disease research? Let’s make this a double attack. What if we conduct original research and raise money for research/treatment at the same time? This train of thought became the Annotate-A-Thon. The “A” is separate because it is made of DNA in the logo. It reminds one of action, admirable, accomplish, ambition, and altruism.
What does it mean to annotate a gene?
To annotate a gene means to assign a putative function to the protein for which the gene codes. Putative means purported; commonly put forth or accepted as true on inconclusive grounds. Gene annotation involves putting everything known about the protein in one convenient location. Gene annotations are not an end in themselves, annotations guide and inspire wet lab experiments.
Lon A. Knappenberger 1/25/2020
Do Bacteria Cause All Cancer?
In a word-NO. Cancer is a complicated disease with both genetic and environmental. causes. Complex problems rarely have simple causes or simple solutions. It is better to say that Bacteria Can contribute to cancers. There is evidence that some bacteria may take advantage of slight changes in the microbiome caused by disease. Lastly, bacteria may be programmed to fight cancer. In 2016, The American cancer society started to list two bacteria that can lead to cancer.-Helicobacter pylori ( part of this event) and Chlamydia trachomatis (also, part of this event) on their website.. This is an avenue ( another front in the war on cancer) that I have chosen to explore as I believe that the general public can contribute original research by annotating genes found in bacteria related to cancer. It is my hope that this will lead to good.
Lon Knappenberger
2./18/2020
Again, Why Should I Participate in this?
On my long path to finally planning the world’s first Annotate-A-Thon, I did a ConnecTED talk at SUNY Cortland in August 2018. entitled “Educator Lessons from Doctor Strange”, based on the 2016 Marvel movie. The talk involved 23 points, because I has just finished my 23rd year of teacher. All points were linked to dialogue from the movie. Reflecting back now,, The points also apply to the Annotate-A-thon:
1. Accept what you are given.
2. Be grateful.
3. Venture outside your tried and true practice.
4. What we do has a cost.
5. Associate with wise mentors. Dr. Stephen Koury. Dr. Dey-Rao. Dr. Nowak. Dr. Houmiel. Dr. Jabot. Dr. Henry. Dr. Wilson and many others.
6. Be vigilant so as not to become like your opposition.
7. You cannot become an expert immediately. Annotating genes takes patience.
8. Widen your perspective.
The Ancient One:
“You cannot beat a river into submission, You have to surrender to its current and use its power as your own. Silence your ego and your power will rise.”
9. We should bend our institution’s culture to meet the needs of the learners.
10. Not everything is know.
The Ancient One: “You're a man looking at the world through a keyhole. You've spent your life trying to widen it. “To see more, know more. And now, on hearing that it can be widened in ways you can’t imagine, you reject the possibility? “
11. See only possibilities in your future.
The Ancient One: I never saw your future, only its possibilities. You have such a capacity for goodness. You've always excelled, but not because you crave success, but because of your fear of failure.
12. We can broken yet thriving. What is really holding you back?
The Ancient One: “We never lose our demons,. We only learn to live above them. “
13. We are the protectors of our realm.
14. Our time of influence is finite.
15. It was never about us.
The Ancient One: Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all.
Dr. Stephen Strange: Which is?
The Ancient One: It's not about you.
16. Teach like your students' lives depend on it.
Master Mordo: “The bill comes due. Always. A reckoning. “
17. You can surrender control to gain control.
Doctor Strange: … I control it by surrendering control? That doesn’t make any sense. “
Ancient One: Not everything does. Not everything has to. Your intellect has taken you far in life. But it will take you no further. “
18. Use deliberate practice to maximize your potential.
19. Success often comes after we forget most of what we think we know.
20. Hands are symbols of our great capacity for good. What we do with our hands and with our time defines us.
21. Our greatest weakness can become our greatest strength. Our brokenness can allow us to empathize with with a hurting and Broken world.
22. Find your higher purpose. You job becomes a career then your career becomes a calling.
23. I can change things for the better right now. This minute is gone forever, but there is another minute coming in which I can change and do things for the better.
This is why I am asking for your time and commitment on May 16, 2020. We can use our hands and our time for a higher purpose to change the future for the better right now. Please, consider joining us. Thank you.
Lon A Knappenberger 3/1/2020
In terms of Compassion, I use Kagan team/class building questions with my middle schoolers. One of the questions from November was; “It is better to write a check for 100 Thanksgiving meals for the needy or to serve 100 Thanksgiving meals to the needy?” All of the students I asked picked serving. I asked why and they explained in their own way that happiness is tied to altruism. You can’t stay at home, you have to get your hands dirty. An annotate-a-thon is that type of opportunity. You must feel the cost. You must put others above self.
I have this very specialized skill then I should use it to serve for the greater good. I had the goal to host an annotate-a-thon and added it to my Bucket List. I just had to wait until the time was right. As of 2019, I have taught 160 Westfield students how to annotate. With Dr. Stephen Kory and Dr. Rama Dey- Rao, and I have helped dozens of Western New York teachers learn how to Gene Annotate. Molly Anderson, our Director of Curriculum encouraged me to seek a grant to make this crazy dream come true. I applied to the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County for a grant, which was funded. It was very important to me that the event be here in Chautauqua County. I see it as a David versus Goliath, Rudy, Remember the Titans, Karate Kid, Cool Running, Invincible, Seabiscuit-type story.
Lon A. Knappenberger 1/26/2020
What am I committing to?
No tattoos necessary.
You are committing to annotate at least one gene from beginning to end on that one day.
You must realize that you “can’t hurt it or do damage”. to Geni-ACT. Completed Gene Notebooks will be reviewed before uploading to the public data base..
You will secure pledges per hour or a one time donation and collect the money on the completion of the event with the assurance that every cent will be used to support wet-lab research.
You will trust that those who conduct the event will give you the background information and step-by-step instructions to be successful.
You will bring your own laptop or use a district laptop by signing the Acceptable Use Policy.
You will ask questions when confused and those who conduct the event will answer your questions with patience and respect. Our commitment is to you, because this event would not happen without you.
You will take breaks, enjoy the refreshments and music when needed.
I will no longer wait for “someone” to come along and help solve a problem, because that someone is me.
Lon Knappenberger
2/19/2020