Isolation and genetic analysis of an environmental bacteriophage: A 10‐session laboratory series in molecular virology

Williamson, Ryan P.; Barker, Brent T.; Drammeh, Hamidou; Scott, Jefferson; Lin, Joseph

doi:10.1002/bmb.20829

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…Perturbation of HeLa (i.e., human fibroblast cells) and broad monitoring of the cells' proteome by SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis was done with a single, class-chosen environmental stimulus [20]. PCR and subcloning of bacteriophage genomic DNA fragments is part of a semester-long, molecular virology project [22]. PCR and subcloning of bacteriophage genomic DNA fragments is part of a semester-long, molecular virology project [22].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semester‐long inquiry‐based molecular biology laboratory: Transcriptional regulation in yeast

Oelkers

2016

Biochem Molecular Bio Educ

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A single semester molecular biology laboratory has been developed in which students design and execute a project examining transcriptional regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Three weeks of planning are allocated to developing a hypothesis through literature searches and use of bioinformatics. Common experimental plans address a cell process and how three genes that encode for proteins involved in that process are transcriptionally regulated in response to changing environmental conditions. Planning includes designing oligonucleotides to amplify the putative promoters of the three genes of interest. After the PCR, each product is cloned proximal to β-galactosidase in a yeast reporter plasmid. Techniques used include agarose electrophoresis, extraction of DNA from agarose, plasmid purification from bacteria, restriction digestion, ligation, and bacterial transformation. This promoter/reporter plasmid is then transformed into yeast. Transformed yeast are cultured in conditions prescribed in the experimental design, lysed and β-galactosidase activity is measured. The course provides an independent research experience in a group setting. Notebooks are maintained on-line with regular feedback. Projects culminate with the presentation of a poster worth 60% of the grade. Over the last three years, about 65% of students met expectations for experimental design, data acquisition, and analysis. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(2):145-151, 2017.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Semester‐long inquiry‐based molecular biology laboratory: Transcriptional regulation in yeast

Oelkers

2016

Biochem Molecular Bio Educ

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“…In order to increase the scientific literacy of non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) majors and to enhance their understanding of the scientific process, the SEA-PHAGES program has been successfully offered as a two-semester nonmajors course (33). And finally, similar to PHIRE/SEA-PHAGES, Williamson et al (34) reported a series of 10 lab exercises for isolation and purification of an environmental phage; students attempt to clone a fragment of the genomic DNA and sequence it to attempt to identify the phage.…”

Section: Labmentioning

confidence: 99%

Virology in the Classroom: Current Approaches and Challenges to Undergraduate- and Graduate-Level Virology Education

Kushner

Pekosz

2021

Annu. Rev. Virol.

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The pervasive effects of the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic are but one reason for educators to refocus their efforts on virology teaching. Additionally, it is critical to understand how viruses function and to elucidate the relationship between virus and host. An understanding of current virology education may improve pedagogical approaches for educating our students and trainees. Faculty who teach undergraduate microbiology indicate that approximately 10% of the course content features viruses; stand-alone virology courses are infrequently offered to undergraduates. Fortunately, virology taught to undergraduates includes foundational material; several approaches for delivery of lecture- and lab-based content exist. At the graduate education level, there is growing appreciation that an emphasis on logic, reasoning, inference, and statistics must be reintroduced into the curriculum to create a generation of scientists who have a greater capacity for creativity and innovation. Educators also need to remove barriers to student success, at all levels of education. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 8 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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“…Bacteria and their viruses (“bacteriophages” or “phages”) grow quickly, are easy to work with, and are relatively inexpensive. Due to these low resource requirements, laboratory exercises where students isolate phages are already becoming more prevalent in undergraduate biology programs, which led the way for our modified high school module (Jordan et al, 2014; Williamson et al, 2014). Here we present a weeklong, in-class activity where students at Lincoln Southwest High School (LSW) work with instructors from Michigan State University (MSU) to utilize scientific practices to “hunt” for bacteriophages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phage Hunting in the High School Classroom

Bittle,

Brittain,

Doore

et al. 2023

The American Biology Teacher

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National science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education emphasizes science practices, such as hands-on learning. We describe a weeklong activity where students participate in real-world scientific discovery, including “hunting” for bacteriophage in a variety of environmental samples. First, the students collect samples, then look for evidence of phage on “bait” bacteria, and finally amplify/purify the phages for further study.

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Isolation and genetic analysis of an environmental bacteriophage: A 10‐session laboratory series in molecular virology

Cited by 4 publications

References 8 publications

Semester‐long inquiry‐based molecular biology laboratory: Transcriptional regulation in yeast

Semester‐long inquiry‐based molecular biology laboratory: Transcriptional regulation in yeast

Virology in the Classroom: Current Approaches and Challenges to Undergraduate- and Graduate-Level Virology Education

Phage Hunting in the High School Classroom

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