Connecting biology and organic chemistry introductory laboratory courses through a collaborative research project.

Abstract

Modern research often requires collaboration of experts in fields, such as math, chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science to develop unique solutions to common problems. Traditional introductory undergraduate laboratory curricula in the sciences often do not emphasize connections possible between the various disciplines. We designed an interdisciplinary, medically relevant, project intended to help students see connections between chemistry and biology. Second term organic chemistry laboratory students designed and synthesized potential polymer inhibitors or inducers of polyglutamine protein aggregation. The use of novel target compounds added the uncertainty of scientific research to the project. Biology laboratory students then tested the novel potential pharmaceuticals in Huntington's disease model assays, using in vitro polyglutamine peptide aggregation and in vivo lethality studies in Drosophila. Students read articles from the primary literature describing the system from both chemical and biological perspectives. Assessment revealed that students emerged from both courses with a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of biology and chemistry and a heightened interest in basic research. The design of this collaborative project for introductory biology and organic chemistry labs demonstrated how the local interests and expertise at a university can be drawn from to create an effective way to integrate these introductory courses. Rather than simply presenting a series of experiments to be replicated, we hope that our efforts will inspire other scientists to think about how some aspect of authentic work can be brought into their own courses, and we also welcome additional collaborations to extend the scope of the scientific exploration.

• Authors: Ariana L Boltax, Stephanie Armanious, Melissa S Kosinski-Collins, Jason K Pontrello
• Journal: Biochemistry and molecular biology education : a bimonthly publication of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Biochem Mol Biol Educ) 2015 Jul-Aug Vol. 43 Issue 4 Pg. 233-44 ISSN: 1539-3429 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26148149 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Topics

• Biology (education)
• Chemistry, Organic (education)
• Cooperative Behavior
• Educational Measurement (methods)
• Humans
• Laboratories
• Learning
• Research (education)
• Students
• Universities