Cancer and Chemicals: A Research-Inspired Laboratory Exercise Based on the Ames Test for Mutagenicity

Autor/inn/en	Large, Delaney N.; Van Doorn, Nathaniel A.; Timmons, Shannon C.
Titel	Cancer and Chemicals: A Research-Inspired Laboratory Exercise Based on the Ames Test for Mutagenicity
Quelle	In: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 51 (2023) 1, S.103-113 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Timmons, Shannon C.)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1470-8175
DOI	10.1002/bmb.21674
Schlagwörter	Cancer; Laboratory Experiments; Undergraduate Students; STEM Careers; Science Instruction; Teaching Methods; Laboratory Procedures; Self Efficacy; Critical Thinking; Thinking Skills; Biochemistry; Student Projects; Genetics; Metabolism; Animals; Outcomes of Education; Visual Aids; Student Attitudes; Educational Benefits; Scientific Research; Writing Skills; Feedback (Response) + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Carcinoma; Karzinom; Krebs (med); Krebserkrankung; Laboratory work; Laborarbeit; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Laboruntersuchung; Self-efficacy; Selbstwirksamkeit; Kritisches Denken; Denkfähigkeit; Biochemie; Schulprojekt; Humangenetik; Stoffwechsel; Animal; Tier; Tiere; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg; Anschauungsmaterial; Schülerverhalten; Bildungsertrag; Writing skill; Schreibfertigkeit
Abstract	Laboratory courses should cultivate enthusiasm for research and an appreciation for real-world scientific challenges to retain undergraduate students and encourage them to pursue STEM-related careers. Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE) have emerged as an inclusive pedagogical model that facilitates laboratory skill development, while also improving self-efficacy and critical thinking skills. Herein, an innovative research-inspired Ames test for mutagenicity project is described. Students choose their own project theme and investigate substances using both TA98 and TA100 strains of "Salmonella typhimurium" to evaluate the potential for frameshift mutations and base-pair substitutions, respectively. An appropriate test concentration of each substance is first determined via a cytotoxicity assay, providing an additional learning opportunity. Students also study the mutagenicity of test substance metabolites using commercially available rat liver extracts to simulate metabolism. Overall, these experiences provide a comprehensive research project with high relevancy to human health and real-world importance. This laboratory module was assessed using CURE pre- and post-course surveys to evaluate learning gains and benefits. Assessment data illustrated that students appreciated the discovery aspect of the research project and gained skills related to reading scientific literature and effective poster presentations. Student-reported benefits of research project participation included learning new laboratory techniques, enhanced scientific writing skills, an increased tolerance for and understanding of common research challenges, and the confidence to tackle more complex research endeavors. Narrative feedback from students was very positive, with project highlights being the opportunity to select their own test substances and create new knowledge, as well as the analysis of results. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01