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Moreno ACR, Taschner NP, Piantola MAF, Armellini BRC, Lellis-Santos C, de Cássia Café Ferreira R. Real Lab Day: undergraduate scientific hands-on activity as an authentic learning opportunity in microbiology education. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2023:fnad062. [PMID: 37385827 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnad062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional lab classes of microbiology are common in several educational institutions, which can provide a learning experience disconnected from the myriad of experiments performed in research laboratories. Attempting to promote an authentic learning opportunity of the functioning of a bacteriology research laboratory, we developed the 'Real-Lab-Day', a multimodal learning experience to develop competencies, abilities, critical analysis, and teamwork skills for undergraduate students. Students were divided into groups and assigned to research laboratories to be mentored by graduate students, to design and carry out scientific assays. Undergraduate students were introduced to methods such as cellular and molecular assays, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy, as tools to address scientific questions about bacterial pathogenicity, bacterial resistance, and other topics. To consolidate their learning, students created and presented a poster in a rotational panel of peer learning. The perceived learning and interest in microbiology research were improved by the Real-Lab-Day experience, and more than 95% of the students approved the Real-Lab-Day as a teaching tool in microbiology. Students exposed to a research laboratory had a positive experience of the teaching method and over 90% saw it as beneficial to improve their understanding of the scientific concepts discussed during lectures. Likewise, their interest in pursuing a career in microbiology was stimulated by the Real-Lab-Day experience. In conclusion, this educational initiative depicts an alternative methodology to connect students to the research and offers an opportunity to be in close contact with experts and graduate students, who gain teaching experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Ramos Moreno
- Vaccine Development Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Vaccine Development Laboratory, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Natalia Pasternak Taschner
- Center of Science and Society, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Instituto Questão de Ciência, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marco Aurélio Floriano Piantola
- Vaccine Development Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Rodrigues Cintra Armellini
- Vaccine Development Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Camilo Lellis-Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Café Ferreira
- Vaccine Development Laboratory, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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de Souza Pereira G, Batista MT, Dos Santos NFB, Passos HM, da Silva DA, Ferreira EL, de Souza Ferreira LC, de Cássia Café Ferreira R. Streptococcus mutans glutamate binding protein (GlnH) as antigen target for a mucosal anti-caries vaccine. Braz J Microbiol 2022; 53:1941-1949. [PMID: 36098933 PMCID: PMC9679091 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-022-00823-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, several studies have demonstrated that bacterial ABC transporters present relevant antigen targets for the development of vaccines against bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis. In Streptococcus mutans, the glutamate transporter operon (glnH), encoding an ABC transporter, is associated with acid tolerance and represents an important virulence-associated factor for the development of dental caries. RESULTS In this study, we generated a recombinant form of the S. mutans GlnH protein (rGlnH) in Bacillus subtilis. Mice immunized with this protein antigen elicited strong antigen-specific antibody responses after sublingual administration of a vaccine formulation containing a mucosal adjuvant, a non-toxic derivative of the heat-labile toxin (LTK63) originally produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains. Serum anti-rGlnH antibodies reduced adhesion of S. mutans to the oral cavity of naïve mice. Moreover, mice actively immunized with rGlnH were partially protected from oral colonization after exposure to the S. mutans NG8 strain. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that S. mutans rGlnH is a potential target antigen capable of inducing specific and protective antibody responses after immunization. Overall, these observations raise the prospect of the development of mucosal anti-caries vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela de Souza Pereira
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 137405508-900s, Brazil
| | - Milene Tavares Batista
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 137405508-900s, Brazil
| | | | - Hélic Moreira Passos
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 137405508-900s, Brazil
| | - Dalva Adelina da Silva
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 137405508-900s, Brazil
| | - Ewerton Lucena Ferreira
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 137405508-900s, Brazil
| | - Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 137405508-900s, Brazil
| | - Rita de Cássia Café Ferreira
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 137405508-900s, Brazil.
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Rodrigues Cintra Armellini B, La Luna A, Bueris V, Pinto de Almeida A, Moraes Tamais A, Krzyzanowski F, Hasten Reiter VS, Lellis-Santos C, Café Ferreira RDC. Comparison of hybrid learning and remote education in the implementation of the "Adopt a Microorganism" methodology. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248906. [PMID: 34818328 PMCID: PMC8612561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Internet has changed the way teachers and students access information and build knowledge. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for both teachers and students and a demand for new methodologies of remote learning. In the life sciences, mixing online content with practical activities represents an even greater challenge. In microbiology, the implementation of an active teaching methodology, the #Adopt project, based on the social network Facebook®, represents an excellent option for connecting remote education with classroom activities. In 2020, the version applied in high school, "Adopt a Microorganism", was adapted to meet the demands of emergency remote education owing to the suppression of face-to-face activities caused by the pandemic. In the present study, we assessed how the change in methodology impacted the discourse richness of students from high school integrated with technical education in the Business Administration program of the Federal Institute of São Paulo, Sorocaba Campus. Three questionnaires related to the groups of microorganisms (Archaea, Bacteria, Virus, Fungi, and Protozoan) were applied. The students' responses in the 2019 and 2020 classes were compared concerning content richness and multiplicity of concepts through the application of the Shannon diversity index, an approach that is generally used to assess biodiversity in different environments. The observed results suggest that remote learning provided students with a conceptual basis and richness of content equivalent to that achieved by students subjected to the hybrid teaching model. In conclusion, this study suggests that the #Adopt project methodology increases students' discourse richness in microbiology even without face-to-face traditional classes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexandre La Luna
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Federal Institute of São Paulo, Campus Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bueris
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Flavio Krzyzanowski
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Federal Institute of São Paulo, Campus Capital, São Paulo, Brazil
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Dos Santos NFB, da Silva LR, Costa FJMD, de Mattos DM, de Carvalho E, Ferreira LCDS, Ferreira RDCC. Immunization with a recombinant BibA surface protein confers immunity and protects mice against group B Streptococcus (GBS) vaginal colonization. Vaccine 2020; 38:5286-5296. [PMID: 32571719 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.05.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae or group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a Gram-positive bacterium divided into ten distinct serotypes that colonizes the vaginal and rectal tracts of approximately 30% of women worldwide. GBS is the leading cause of invasive infection in newborns, causing sepsis, pneumoniae and meningitis. The main strategy to prevent GSB infection in newborns includes the use of intrapartum antibiotic therapy, which does not prevent late-onset diseases and may select resistant bacterial strains. We still do not have a vaccine formulation specific for this pathogen approved for human use. Conserved surface proteins are potential antigens that could be targets for recognition by antibodies and activation of cell opsonization. We used a serotype V GBS (GBS-V)-derived recombinant surface protein, rBibA, and evaluated the potential protective role of the induced antigen-specific antibodies after parenteral or mucosal immunizations in C57BL/6 mice. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that vaccine formulations containing BibA combined with different adjuvants induced serum IgG and/or secreted IgA antibodies, leading to enhanced opsonophagocytosis of GBS-V cells and reduced invasion of epithelial cells. One BibA-based vaccine formulation adjuvanted with a nontoxic derivative of the heat-labile toxin produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains was capable of inducing protection against vaginal colonization and lethal parenteral challenge with GBS-V. Serum collected from vaccinated mice conferred passive protection against vaginal colonization in naïve mice challenged with GBS-V. Taken together, the present data demonstrate that the BibA protein is a promising antigen for development of a vaccine to protect against GBS infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayara Fernanda Barros Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 1374 Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Lukas Raposo da Silva
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 1374 Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Fagner James Martins Dantas Costa
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 1374 Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Daniely Maranhão de Mattos
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 1374 Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Enéas de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Molecular Biotechnology I, Biotechnology Center, Butantan Institute, 1500 Vital Brasil Avenue, São Paulo, SP 03178-200, Brazil.
| | - Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 1374 Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
| | - Rita de Cássia Café Ferreira
- Laboratory of Vaccine Development, Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Science Institute, University of São Paulo, 1374 Prof. Lineu Prestes Avenue, São Paulo, SP 05508-000, Brazil.
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Piantola MAF, Moreno ACR, Matielo HA, Taschner NP, Cavalcante RCM, Khan S, Ferreira RDCC. Adopt a Bacterium - an active and collaborative learning experience in microbiology based on social media. Braz J Microbiol 2018; 49:942-948. [PMID: 29728341 PMCID: PMC6175964 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjm.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The “Adopt a Bacterium” project is based on the use of social network as a tool in Microbiology undergraduate education, improving student learning and encouraging students to participate in collaborative learning. The approach involves active participation of both students and teachers, emphasizing knowledge exchange, based on widely used social media. Students were organized in groups and asked to adopt a specific bacterial genus and, subsequently, submit posts about “adopted genus”. The formative assessment is based on posting information on Facebook®, and the summative assessment involves presentation of seminars about the adopted theme. To evaluate the project, students filled out three anonymous and voluntary surveys. Most of the students enjoyed the activities and positively evaluated the experience. A large amount of students declared a change in their attitude towards the way they processed information, especially regarding the use of scientific sources. Finally, we evaluated knowledge retention six months after the end of the course and students were able to recall relevant Microbiology concepts. Our results suggest that the “Adopt a Bacterium” project represents a useful strategy in Microbiology learning and may be applied to other academic fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Samia Khan
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Moutran A, Quaggio RB, Balan A, Ferreira LCDS, Ferreira RDCC. The oligopeptide permease (Opp) of the plant pathogen Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri. Curr Microbiol 2004; 48:354-9. [PMID: 15060731 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-003-4206-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The oligopeptide permease (Opp), a protein-dependent ABC transporter, has been found in the genome of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri ( Xac), but not in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris ( Xcc). Sequence analysis indicated that 4 opp genes ( oppA, oppB, oppC, oppD/F), located in a 33.8-kbp DNA fragment present only in the Xac genome, are arranged in an operon-like structure and share highest sequence similarities with Streptomyces roseofulvus orthologs. Nonetheless, analyses of the GC content, codon usage, and transposon positioning suggested that the Xac opp operon does not have an exogenous origin. The presence of a stop codon at one of the ATP-binding domains of OppD/F would render the uptake system nonfunctional, but detection of a single polycistronic mRNA and periplasmic OppA in actively growing bacteria suggests that the Opp permease is active and could contribute to the distinct nutritional requirements and host specificities of the two Xanthomonas species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Moutran
- Departmento de Microbiologia, ICBII-USP, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, 05508-900, Brazil
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Morais Jr. MAD, Ferreira RDCC, Ferreira LCDS. Mutagenic activation of CL64,855, an anti-Trypanosoma cruzi nitroderivant, by bacterial nitroreductases. Genet Mol Biol 1998. [DOI: 10.1590/s1415-47571998000400026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CL64,855 is a nitroimidazole-thiodiazole derivate with high anti-Trypanosoma cruzi activity. CL64,855-induced mutagenesis in the Salmonella/microsome test was detected by TA98 and TA98dnp6 strains, but not by the nitroreductase I-deficient TA98nr strain. The lack of mutagenic response of TA98nr was connected with its extreme resistance to the killing effect of the drug. Presence of S9 mix did not restore mutagenic activity of CL64,855 to the TA98nr strain. Additionally, CL64,855 was reduced in vitro by the nitroreductase I-proficient TA98 strain, mainly in the presence of oxygen, but not by the TA98nr strain. Mutagenic activity was detected in serum samples of treated guinea pigs by nitroreductase-proficient strains TA98 and TA98dnp6, but not by nitroductase-deficient strain TA98nr. In the case of urine, mutagenic activity was observed with all three tested strains, suggesting an in vivo metabolic activation of the drug by a distinct metabolic pathway.
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