How to Play
Quick start guide
Introduction
Welcome future scientists! Today, your mission is to explore the wonders of DNA and master the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas9 (or CRISPR for short) toolset.
You'll start by reviewing the basics of DNA and nucleobases (also called nucleotide bases). Then, you'll learn about using CRISPR for editing DNA. Next, you'll use next generation sequencing to verify your edits. Finally, you'll apply this knowledge by using gene therapy to treat leukemia patients. You can also test your knowledge with the quiz.
Earn points by solving challenges and answering questions.Try to get the highest score possible!
Starting a new game
When you begin a new game, you have the option of choosing a mentor and entering a name which will appear on your score summary with your final score. This is the only place you can enter your name, and you cannot edit it later.
When starting a new game, you'll also have the option to take the pre-quiz for an additional 50 bonus points. The pre-quiz isn't graded, so don't worry if you don't know the answer to something yet – just do your best.
Saving your games
Your game will be saved automatically every time you solve a challenge and earn a new badge. Your game will also be saved when you complete the pre-quiz or quiz. You can delete your previously saved games on the game menu page.
Lab dashboard
When you continue a saved game, you'll be taken to the lab dashboard where you can find an overview of all the levels and challenges. You can also review your score summary at the bottom of this page. There are four main levels.
DNA basics
In this section, you will learn about the fundamentals of DNA, nucleobases, and mutations. You will also learn about RNA base pairing.
Intro to CRISPR
In this section, you will learn about the main components of the CRISPR toolset by editing the DNA of a fruit fly.
Next generation sequencing
In this section, you'll learn about the importance of next generation sequencing in double checking edits made with CRISPR, and you will go through the five main steps of sequencing.
CRISPR medicine
This is the most challenging section, and it will require knowledge from all the previous sections to complete. In this section, you will use gene therapy to help patients with leukemia, a type of blood cancer.
Quiz
Each quiz is six questions long. You will receive ten points at the end of the quiz for every question you answer correctly. You can take the quiz three times and will earn additional points every time.
Score summary
Your score will appear in the player summary, which will appear at the bottom of the page on your lab dashboard, at the bottom of the page after completing a challenge, and at the end of the quiz. Your total score includes points earned from multiple areas of the game. The maximum score possible is 910. Try to get the highest score possible!
Point breakdown
- Pre-quiz: 50 bonus points.
- Challenges: 680 points possible by completing the following.
- DNA basics level: 80 points possible. 20 points per challenge solved.
- Intro to CRISPR level: 150 points possible. 30 points per challenge solved.
- Next generation sequencing level: 150 points possible. 30 points per challenge solved.
- CRISPR medicine level: 200 points possible. 40 points per challenge solved.
- All challenges solved: 100 points extra!
- Quiz: 180 points possible. 10 points per question answered correctly. You can take the quiz up to three times.
Buttons
Return to the main menu.
Read basic simulation instructions.
Turn the sound effects off or back on.
Game sounds and music will be muted if you enter the game with your device in silent mode.
Enter or exit fullscreen mode.