Making the Connection: Linking Lecture and Lab Using Drosophila melanogaster in an Introductory Molecular Biology Course

Abstract

A common challenge for introductory lab courses is bridging the gap between lecture content and lab experiments. Given that the margin between these areas is dramatically decreasing with the introduction of flipped classroom and experiential learning, I have developed a project that uses in silico and in vivo methods to bridge the two components in an introductory biology course. Over the course of 6 weeks students are challenged to use open access databases to identify an unknown protein and characterize its function and tissue expression patterns. Once the protein is identified, the project shifts from computational to technical by using the genomic DNA sequence to design primers and amplify the corresponding gene from dissected Drosophila tissue. By introducing the project immediately following the module on gene expression students have a basic understanding of transcription, translation, and protein folding, thus they are able to visualize relevant relationships between each concept. As the lecture focus shifts toward cellular processes such as transport and communication, they are able to enhance their understanding of protein structure as it relates to cellular function. Further, they gain an understanding of isoforms and tissue specific expression patterns, thereby enhancing their understanding of gene expression as a whole. Each phase of the project is accompanied by guided analysis questions to help direct students to the appropriate resources and to ensure that they are able to successfully connect each concept. The project culminates in both an oral presentation and a written research paper, which gives students two opportunities to communicate their findings. Both methods emphasize data presentation and analysis in addition to scientific accuracy. Students that successfully complete the project leave the course with an enhanced understanding of transcription, translation, protein folding, and protein function, which are all learning outcomes for the course. Moreover, students develop computational and molecular lab techniques accompanied by enhanced abilities to synthesize related concepts into a larger narrative.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by funds from the Department of Sciences at Wentworth Institute of Technology