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  • DIRECTED EVOLUTION OF CHROMOPROTEIN TINSELPURPLE IN A COURSE-BASED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IMPROVES SCIENTIFIC PROFICIENCY

This content will become publicly available on June 1, 2026

Title: DIRECTED EVOLUTION OF CHROMOPROTEIN TINSELPURPLE IN A COURSE-BASED UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IMPROVES SCIENTIFIC PROFICIENCY
Several agencies and advisory committees in the United States have highlighted the need to increase the number of STEM professionals as it boosts both the nation’s economic competitiveness and drives technological advancement. Recommendations to increase interest in STEM include replacing demonstrative laboratories with guided research experiences and promoting collaboration between educators and larger research institutions. Including research experiences in the undergraduate classroom has been shown to positively impact students’ academic performance, development of skills, knowledge retention, and completion of STEM degrees. Via a collaborative effort between two institutions, Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and University of St Thomas (UST), we designed and implemented a one-semester guided-research undergraduate laboratory course in which students modified a chromoprotein, TinselPurple (tsPurple), using directed evolution. Our cohort includes two lab sections, that included 27 undergraduate students in total. The first two lab sessions of the semester were used to review lab safety, describe the project to the students, and to reinforce proper pipetting technique. This was followed by two rounds of directed evolution, in which students mutagenized tsPurple gene fragments, reassembled the gene using a Golden Gate reaction, transformed bacteria and then screened colonies for brighter or altered pigmentation. The tsPurple gene from the screened clones was sequenced and mutations were mapped to the gene and modeled AlphaFold 3D structure. Student knowledge of the project and the methods was assessed using pre- and post-tests that included multiple-choice and open answer questions. The post-test included an appreciation of science questionnaire in which students self-reported how they felt regarding various prompts. Additionally, students were assessed on their practical pipetting skills at the beginning and end of the lab course. Our findings indicate that students: (i) identified specific mutations that contributed to increased color intensity and hue variation, (ii) significantly improved their theoretical understanding of the project and the methods, (iii) increased their pipetting accuracy, and (iv) improved overall appreciation of the scientific process. Last, we observed that the collaborative experience facilitated student exposure to a professional research environment and emboldened students to continue their research at either BCM or UST under the guidance of experienced scientists.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2218373
PAR ID:
10635880
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Editor(s):
Gómez, Chova L; González, Martínez C; Lees, J
Publisher / Repository:
IATED
Date Published:
Journal Name:
EDULEARN proceedings
ISSN:
2340-1117
ISBN:
978-84-09-74218-9
Page Range / eLocation ID:
2669 to 2678
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
Genetics laboratory, guided research, directed evolution, course-based undergraduate research experience, chromoprotein, TinselPurple
Format(s):
Medium: X
Location:
Palma, Spain
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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