RasMol and Mage in the Undergraduate Biochemistry Curriculum

Abstract

Mage and RasMol, free visualization software used to view and manipulate three-dimensional images of proteins and nucleic acids, have been incorporated extensively in the undergraduate biochemistry courses at several institutions in the University System of Georgia. Some teaching and learning activities using RasMol and Mage, and new educational resources, including the GLACTONE Web site and a CD-ROM, are described. The results of a survey of students enrolled in undergraduate biochemistry courses at five institutions in the University System of Georgia indicate that an overwhelming majority of students felt strongly that using Mage and RasMol increased their understanding of biochemistry. The survey also indicates that the majority of students used RasMol or Mage outside of the classroom either on campus or at home. The majority of the students surveyed recommend that RasMol or Mage be used in freshman chemistry and high school. We have trained high school teachers and faculty at two-year colleges throughout Georgia to use RasMol and have demonstrated its possible applications in lower-level chemistry and biology courses.