McDonough Janet, Goudsouzian Lara K, Papaj Agllai, Maceli Ashley R, Klepac-Ceraj Vanja, Peterson Celeste N
Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts.
Department of Natural Science, DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania.
Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2017 Sep;45(5):449-458. doi: 10.1002/bmb.21055. Epub 2017 Apr 13.
Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been shown to increase student retention and learning in the biological sciences. Most CURES cover only one aspect of gene regulation, such as transcriptional control. Here we present a new inquiry-based lab that engages understanding of gene expression from multiple perspectives. Students carry out a forward genetic screen to identify regulators of the stationary phase master regulator RpoS in the model organism Escherichia coli and then use a series of reporter fusions to determine if the regulation is at the level of transcription or the post-transcription level. This easy-to-implement course has been run both as a 9-week long project and a condensed 5-6 week version in three different schools and types of courses. A majority of the genes found in the screen are novel, thus giving students the opportunity to contribute to original findings to the field. Assessments of this CURE show student gains in learning in many knowledge areas. In addition, attitudinal surveys suggest the students are enthusiastic about the screen and their learning about gene regulation. In summary, this lab would be an appropriate addition to an intermediate or advanced level Molecular Biology, Genetics, or Microbiology curriculum. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(5):449-458, 2017.
基于课程的本科研究经历（CUREs）已被证明能提高学生在生物科学领域的留存率和学习效果。大多数CUREs仅涵盖基因调控的一个方面，比如转录控制。在此，我们展示一个新的基于探究的实验，该实验能让学生从多个角度理解基因表达。学生进行正向遗传筛选，以鉴定模式生物大肠杆菌中静止期主调控因子RpoS的调控因子，然后使用一系列报告基因融合体来确定调控是发生在转录水平还是转录后水平。这个易于实施的课程已在三所不同学校和课程类型中，作为一个为期9周的项目以及一个压缩至5 - 6周的版本开展。在筛选中发现的大多数基因都是新的，从而让学生有机会为该领域的原创发现做出贡献。对这个CURE的评估显示，学生在许多知识领域都有学习收获。此外，态度调查表明学生对筛选以及他们对基因调控的学习充满热情。总之，这个实验适合添加到中级或高级水平的分子生物学、遗传学或微生物学课程中。© 2017年，国际生物化学与分子生物学联盟，45(5):449 - 458，2017。
