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Klages JE, Baid S, Giri EG, Morgan DE, Hotze EM. Hybrid Inquiry-Based Laboratory Curriculum Highlights Scientific Method Using Bacterial Conjugation as a Model. J Microbiol Biol Educ 2023; 24:e00237-22. [PMID: 37614897 PMCID: PMC10443315 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00237-22] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Undergraduate microbiology students are exposed to the theory of the scientific method throughout their undergraduate coursework, but laboratory course curricula often focus on technical skills rather than fully integrating scientific thinking as a component of competencies addressed. Here, we have designed a six-session inquiry-based laboratory (IBL) curriculum for an upper-level microbiology laboratory course that fully involves students in the scientific process using bacterial conjugation as the model system, including both online discussions and in-person laboratory sessions. The student learning objectives focus on the scientific method, experimental design, data analysis, bacterial conjugation mechanisms, and scientific communication. We hypothesized students would meet these learning objectives after completing this IBL and tracked student learning and surveyed students to provide an assessment of the structure of the IBL using pre- and post-IBL quizzes and the Laboratory Course Assessment Survey. Overall, our results show this IBL results in positive student learning gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan E. Klages
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Srishti Baid
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Emily G. Giri
- Undergraduate Biology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Dyan E. Morgan
- Undergraduate Biology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Eileen M. Hotze
- Undergraduate Biology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Sarvary MA, Castelli FR, Asgari M. Undergraduates' Experiences with Online and in-Person Courses Provide Opportunities for Improving Student-Centered Biology Laboratory Instruction. J Microbiol Biol Educ 2022; 23:00289-21. [PMID: 35496687 PMCID: PMC9053021 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00289-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Biology laboratory courses with hands-on activities faced many challenges when switched to online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. The transition back to in-person instruction presents an opportunity to redesign courses with greater student input. Undergraduates in an ∼350-student laboratory course were surveyed about their preferences for online or in-person instruction of specific laboratory course components. We predicted that students who have taken a virtual laboratory course prefer keeping some of the components online. We also hypothesized that their preferences are affected by their experience with online-only or with both online and in-person instruction. The results showed that students would like to move the laboratory component and group meetings back to in-person instruction, even if they never experienced college-level in-person courses. Also, many components, including the lectures, exams, assignment submission, and office hours are preferred to be held online. Surprisingly, students who have only taken online courses would rather give group presentations in person, while those who experienced both online and in-person instruction were undecided. Group presentations were the only component where the preference of the two groups significantly differed. Self-assessed learning gains showed that students performed very well in both the online semesters and the in-person semesters. Therefore, the preferences measured in this study were likely developed based on students' future expectations and personal gains, and not only on their metacognitive decisions and academic performances. This study provides considerations for redesigning components of laboratory courses to be more student-centered after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A. Sarvary
- Investigative Biology Teaching Laboratories, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Frank R. Castelli
- Investigative Biology Teaching Laboratories, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Mitra Asgari
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Chiang CY, Huang HW, Chen SY, Chen YA, Chang YM, Huang HJ. An authentic inquiry-based laboratory module for introducing concepts about volatile-mediated communication resulted in stronger students' self-efficacy. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2021; 49:251-261. [PMID: 32865331 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21425] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Volatile-mediated impacts of microbes on plants have aroused interest among scientists in the life science field. This study describes an inquiry-based laboratory module named "Microbial Talk", which related to microbial volatile-mediated communication, including the process of design, implementation, and assessment. First-year biology students in this course were allowed to complete authentic microbiology research using both typical experimental techniques and knowledge related to interspecies communication. The instructor provides continued guidance and support to ensure that students are aware of their knowledge and of the choices they encountered. Pretests and posttests were implemented to evaluate the efficacy of the "Microbial Talk" and the students' experimental design ability. Assessment of the module showed that students gained self-efficacy in executing experiments and interpreting data. In conclusion, this module is cost-effective and it can be used to help guide students in their future when they encounter situations that need these scientific skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yun Chiang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Deguang Catholic High School, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Wei Huang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shao-Yen Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Teacher Education, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-An Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Mou Chang
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Resources, National University of Tainan, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Jen Huang
- Department of Life Sciences, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Institute of Tropical Plant Sciences and Microbiology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Garcia CB, Chapman IF, Chen SH, Lazear E, Lentz TB, Williams C, Dums JT, Goller CC, Robertson SD. Integrating research into a molecular cloning course to address the evolving biotechnology landscape. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2021; 49:115-128. [PMID: 33176069 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.21402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of molecular biotechnology presents a curricular challenge for educators trying to provide students with relevant coursework. A comprehensive biology education should also include opportunities for students to develop intellectual and technical skills through authentic research experiences. Integrating relevant and interesting research projects into their classes, however, can be a challenging task for instructors. To address these varied demands, we redesigned our existing molecular cloning course to incorporate an independent research project assessing calcium signaling. In the revised course, students use traditional and recombination-based cloning strategies to generate bacterial and mammalian expression vectors encoding CaMPARI, a novel fluorescent calcium indicator. Bacterially-expressed CaMPARI is used in protein quantification and purification assays. Students must also design their own research project evaluating the effect of chemotherapeutic agents on calcium signaling in a mammalian system. Revised and novel labs were designed to be modular, facilitating their integration into the course over 2 years. End-of-semester student evaluations were compared between years revealing a significant difference in students' perception of the course's difficulty between years. This change in attitude highlights potential pedagogical considerations that must be examined when introducing new material and activities into existing courses. Since calcium signaling is important for cellular process across diverse species, instructors may be able to develop research projects within their respective areas of interest. Integration of authentic research experiences into the curriculum is challenging; however, the framework described here provides a versatile structure that can be adapted to merge diverse instructor interests with evolving educational needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina B Garcia
- Biology Program, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program, Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ian F Chapman
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Stefanie H Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Teaching Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Thomas B Lentz
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Teaching Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christina Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Teaching Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jacob T Dums
- Viral Ecology and Informatics Laboratory, University of Delaware, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Carlos C Goller
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Teaching Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sabrina D Robertson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Southard JN. Protein analysis using real-time PCR instrumentation: incorporation in an integrated, inquiry-based project. Biochem Mol Biol Educ 2014; 42:142-151. [PMID: 24375992 DOI: 10.1002/bmb.20747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Accepted: 10/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Instrumentation for real-time PCR is used primarily for amplification and quantitation of nucleic acids. The capability to measure fluorescence while controlling temperature in multiple samples can also be applied to the analysis of proteins. Conformational stability and changes in stability due to ligand binding are easily assessed. Protein structure studies possible with a real-time PCR instrument address core topics in biochemistry and have valuable high-throughput applications in the fields of drug discovery and protein engineering. Protein analysis using real-time PCR instrumentation has been incorporated in an undergraduate laboratory project based on previously described projects. Students express, purify, and characterize a protein. Based on literature research and analysis using bioinformatics tools, they select a specific mutation to investigate. They then attempt to express, purify, and characterize their mutated protein. Thermal denaturation using a real-time PCR instrument is the primary tool used to compare the wild-type and mutated proteins. Alternative means for incorporation of protein analysis by real-time PCR instrumentation into laboratory experiences and additional modes of analysis are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan N Southard
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania, 15705
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