scholarly journals Wildy Prize Lecture, 2020–2021: Who wouldn’t want to discover a new virus?

Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham F. Hatfull
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Student Persistence ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Education Community ◽  
Research Leadership ◽  
Diverse Groups

Innovations in science education are desperately needed to find ways to engage and interest students early in their undergraduate careers. Exposing students to authentic research experiences is highly beneficial, but finding ways to include all types of students and to do this at large scale is especially challenging. An attractive solution is the concept of an inclusive research education community (iREC) in which centralized research leadership and administration supports multiple institutions, including diverse groups of schools and universities, faculty and students. The Science Education Alliance Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Sciences (SEA-PHAGES) programme is an excellent example of an iREC, in which students explore viral diversity and evolution through discovery and genomic analysis of novel bacteriophages. The SEA-PHAGES programme has proven to be sustainable, to be implemented at large scale, and to enhance student persistence in science, as well as to produce substantial research advances. Discovering a new virus with the potential for new biological insights and clinical applications is inherently exciting. Who wouldn’t want to discover a new virus?

scholarly journals Partnership for Research & Education in Plants (PREP): Involving High School Students in Authentic Research in Collaboration with Scientists

2011 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERIC BROOKS ◽  
ERIN DOLAN ◽  
FRANS TAX
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
National Science Education Standards ◽  
School Students ◽  
Education Standards ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Research Education ◽  
Genomics Research ◽  
Research And Education

A partnership between scientists, high school teachers, and their students provides authentic research experiences to help students understand the nature and processes of science. The Partnership for Research and Education in Plants (PREP) engages students in a large-scale genomics research project using classroom-tested protocols that can help to find the function of a disabled gene in the widely studied plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we describe the framework of PREP in the classroom within the context of the National Science Education Standards.

scholarly journals Do We Need to Design Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences for Authenticity?

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. ar79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Rowland ◽  
Rhianna Pedwell ◽  
Gwen Lawrie ◽  
Joseph Lovie-Toon ◽  
Yu Hung
Keyword(s):  
Science Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Authentic Science ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Undergraduate Research Experiences ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Definition Of

The recent push for more authentic teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics indicates a shared agreement that undergraduates require greater exposure to professional practices. There is considerable variation, however, in how “authentic” science education is defined. In this paper we present our definition of authenticity as it applies to an “authentic” large-scale undergraduate research experience (ALURE); we also look to the literature and the student voice for alternate perceptions around this concept. A metareview of science education literature confirmed the inconsistency in definitions and application of the notion of authentic science education. An exploration of how authenticity was explained in 604 reflections from ALURE and traditional laboratory students revealed contrasting and surprising notions and experiences of authenticity. We consider the student experience in terms of alignment with 1) the intent of our designed curriculum and 2) the literature definitions of authentic science education. These findings contribute to the conversation surrounding authenticity in science education. They suggest two things: 1) educational experiences can have significant authenticity for the participants, even when there is no purposeful design for authentic practice, and 2) the continuing discussion of and design for authenticity in UREs may be redundant.

scholarly journals Lentiviral Vectors for Delivery of Gene-Editing Systems Based on CRISPR/Cas: Current State and Perspectives

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1288
Author(s):  
Wendy Dong ◽  
Boris Kantor
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Lentiviral Vector ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Base Editing ◽  
Epigenome Editing ◽  
Vector Systems ◽  
Dividing Cells

CRISPR/Cas technology has revolutionized the fields of the genome- and epigenome-editing by supplying unparalleled control over genomic sequences and expression. Lentiviral vector (LV) systems are one of the main delivery vehicles for the CRISPR/Cas systems due to (i) its ability to carry bulky and complex transgenes and (ii) sustain robust and long-term expression in a broad range of dividing and non-dividing cells in vitro and in vivo. It is thus reasonable that substantial effort has been allocated towards the development of the improved and optimized LV systems for effective and accurate gene-to-cell transfer of CRISPR/Cas tools. The main effort on that end has been put towards the improvement and optimization of the vector’s expression, development of integrase-deficient lentiviral vector (IDLV), aiming to minimize the risk of oncogenicity, toxicity, and pathogenicity, and enhancing manufacturing protocols for clinical applications required large-scale production. In this review, we will devote attention to (i) the basic biology of lentiviruses, and (ii) recent advances in the development of safer and more efficient CRISPR/Cas vector systems towards their use in preclinical and clinical applications. In addition, we will discuss in detail the recent progress in the repurposing of CRISPR/Cas systems related to base-editing and prime-editing applications.

scholarly journals mRNA-Based Vaccines

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 390
Author(s):  
Frank Kowalzik ◽  
Daniel Schreiner ◽  
Christian Jensen ◽  
Daniel Teschner ◽  
Stephan Gehring ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Cell Mediated Immunity ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Cell Genome

Increases in the world’s population and population density promote the spread of emerging pathogens. Vaccines are the most cost-effective means of preventing this spread. Traditional methods used to identify and produce new vaccines are not adequate, in most instances, to ensure global protection. New technologies are urgently needed to expedite large scale vaccine development. mRNA-based vaccines promise to meet this need. mRNA-based vaccines exhibit a number of potential advantages relative to conventional vaccines, namely they (1) involve neither infectious elements nor a risk of stable integration into the host cell genome; (2) generate humoral and cell-mediated immunity; (3) are well-tolerated by healthy individuals; and (4) are less expensive and produced more rapidly by processes that are readily standardized and scaled-up, improving responsiveness to large emerging outbreaks. Multiple mRNA vaccine platforms have demonstrated efficacy in preventing infectious diseases and treating several types of cancers in humans as well as animal models. This review describes the factors that contribute to maximizing the production of effective mRNA vaccine transcripts and delivery systems, and the clinical applications are discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Advances in the automated synthesis of 6-[18F]Fluoro-L-DOPA

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ângela C. B. Neves ◽  
Ivanna Hrynchak ◽  
Inês Fonseca ◽  
Vítor H. P. Alves ◽  
Mariette M. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Neuroendocrine Tumours ◽  
Radiochemical Yield ◽  
Clinical Applications ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Molar Activity ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Improved Methods

AbstractThe neurotracer 6-[18F] FDOPA has been, for many years, a powerful tool in PET imaging of neuropsychiatric diseases, movement disorders and brain malignancies. More recently, it also demonstrated good results in the diagnosis of other malignancies such as neuroendocrine tumours, pheochromocytoma or pancreatic adenocarcinoma.The multiple clinical applications of this tracer fostered a very strong interest in the development of new and improved methods for its radiosynthesis. The no-carrier-added nucleophilic 18F-fluorination process has gained increasing attention, in recent years, due to the high molar activities obtained, when compared with the other methods although the radiochemical yield remains low (17–30%). This led to the development of several nucleophilic synthetic processes in order to obtain the product with molar activity, radiochemical yield and enantiomeric purity suitable for human PET studies.Automation of the synthetic processes is crucial for routine clinical use and compliance with GMP requirements. Nevertheless, the complexity of the synthesis makes the production challenging, increasing the chance of failure in routine production. Thus, for large-scale clinical application and wider use of this radiopharmaceutical, progress in the automation of this complex radiosynthesis is of critical importance.This review summarizes the most recent developments of 6-[18F]FDOPA radiosynthesis and discusses the key issues regarding its automation for routine clinical use.

Using undergraduate research to develop transferable skills for the modern workforce

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Jack TH Wang
Keyword(s):  
Biological Sciences ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Global Knowledge ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Transferable Skills ◽  
Authentic Learning Experiences

In the increasingly competitive global knowledge marketplace, Australian tertiary educators are looking to enrich their program offerings by providing authentic learning experiences for their students. In the biological sciences, this authenticity is best represented by hands-on inquiry and laboratory experimentation, often within the context of research internships. Authentic Large-Scale Undergraduate Research Experiences (ALUREs) aim to broaden the scope of these learning experiences by embedding research into coursework activities accessible by all students within the program. These experiences can promote learning gains in laboratory, analytical, and critical thinking skills, providing students with a transferable skillset applicable to many career paths across the science sector.

scholarly journals BatchGenAna: a batch platform for large-scale genomic analysis of mammalian small RNAs

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
pp. 336-348
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Ying ◽  
You Jung Kim ◽  
Yiqing Mao ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Yanyan Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Rnas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Genomic Analysis
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