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Abstract Understanding the relationship between protein structure and function is a core‐learning goal in biochemistry. Students often struggle to visualize proteins as three‐dimensional objects that interact with other molecules to affect its biochemical consequences. We describe here a partial course‐based undergraduate research experiences that has students exploring protein structure and function hands‐on while authoring a molecular case study intended for others to use.
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From COVID-19 to the Central Dogma
Students often struggle with visualizing protein structures when working with two-dimensional textbook and lecture materials, so introducing them to 3D visualization software developed by and for structural biologists offers them a unique opportunity to work with authentic data while furthering their spatial reasoning skills and understanding of molecular structure and function. This article presents an active learning virtual laboratory in which students use authentic structural biology data to investigate the effects of both hypothetical and real-world SARS-CoV-2 mutations on the virus’s ability to bind to human ACE2 receptors and infect a host, causing COVID-19. Through this activity, introductory-level college students or advanced high school students gain a better understanding of applied biology, such as how vaccines and treatments are designed, as well as strengthening their understanding of core disciplinary concepts, such as the relationship between protein structure and function and the central dogma of molecular biology. While there were challenges during the pilot phase of activity development due to COVID-19 restrictions, students in the pilot groups came away from the activity with deeper understanding of the relationship between proteins and amino acid sequences and a new appreciation for the ways researchers design treatments for and study viruses.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1856502
- PAR ID:
- 10425435
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- The American Biology Teacher
- Volume:
- 84
- Issue:
- 7
- ISSN:
- 0002-7685
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 410 to 414
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2022.84.7.410
