Cross‐Course Laboratory Collaboration in Cell Biology and Organic Chemistry II Leads to Increased Knowledge of Science Content and Process

Abstract

To expose students to interdisciplinary research, provide them with a greater sense of ownership over their work, and model a real research laboratory experience, we linked students in Organic Chemistry II and Cell Biology by focusing on the synthesis and testing of anticancer compounds. To this end Organic Chemistry II students synthesized potential anticancer compounds, known as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), which were tested for cell cytotoxocity by Cell Biology students.Organic Chemistry II students used standard organic techniques to synthesize novel depsipeptides: peptide bond formation, acyl transfer mechanism, esterification, protecting groups, spectroscopic characterization, and purification techniques. Cell Biology students determined each depsipeptide's IC50 value (or the concentration which kills 50% of the cells) using an MTT assay. Depsipeptides that were cytotoxic were investigated for their ability to induce apoptosis using a CaspACETM Assay.Students in both courses showed statistically significant increases in self‐perceived learning gains in the following subscales: conceptual understanding, integration, and collaborative scientific process understanding. Increases in learning gains were similar between the two courses and were similar for both years of implementation. Organic Chemistry II students also showed gains in individual science process skills while the Cell Biology students did not. Interestingly, there was no significant change in student interest during the semester, in either course, for the first two years of implementation.