Protein structure–function is a key concept in biochemistry. We used the perspective of domain‐specific problem‐solving to investigate students’ solutions to a well‐defined protein structure–function problem. We conducted think‐aloud interviews with 13 undergraduate students and performed qualitative content analysis to examine the differences in the domain‐general and domain‐specific knowledge among correct and incorrect solutions. Our work revealed that students used domain‐general and domain‐specific knowledge in their problem solving. We also identified difficulties for students with the amino acid backbone, amino acid categorization, and causal mechanisms of noncovalent interactions. Using the identified difficulties, we make recommendations for the design of instructional materials targeted to improve protein structure–function problem solving in the biochemistry classroom. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):453–463, 2018.

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Expression of the MADS domain transcription factor Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2 (MEF2) is regulated by numerous and overlapping enhancers which tightly control its transcription in the mesoderm. To understand how Mef2 expression is controlled in the heart, we identified a late stage Mef2 cardiac enhancer that is active in all heart cells beginning at stage 14 of embryonic development. This enhancer is regulated by the NK-homeodomain transcription factor Tinman, and the GATA transcription factor Pannier through both direct and indirect interactions with the enhancer. Since Tinman, Pannier and MEF2 are evolutionarily conserved from Drosophila to vertebrates, and since their vertebrate homologs can convert mouse fibroblast cells to cardiomyocytes in different activator cocktails, we tested whether over-expression of these three factors in vivo could ectopically activate known cardiac marker genes. We found that mesodermal over-expression of Tinman and Pannier resulted in approximately 20% of embryos with ectopic Hand and Sulphonylurea receptor (Sur) expression. By adding MEF2 alongside Tinman and Pannier, a dramatic expansion in the expression of Hand and Sur was observed in almost all embryos analyzed. Two additional cardiac markers were also expanded in their expression. Our results demonstrate the ability to initiate ectopic cardiac fate in vivo by the combination of only three members of the conserved Drosophila cardiac transcription network, and provide an opportunity for this genetic model system to be used to dissect the mechanisms of cardiac specification.

This study compares the impacts on biochemistry student learning for three evidence-based pedagogies—worked examples plus practice, productive failure, and guided inquiry—that differ in the nature and timing of guidance.

This mixed-methods study retrospectively examines the competency of graduating biochemistry majors in areas related to scientific process, including the abilities to generate hypotheses, design experiments, evaluate data, draw conclusions, and reflect upon performance.