Student Research Projects from Spring 2009 (this semester's themes: Paris, BRAID and cystic fibrosis).
In 1999 the Lyman Briggs Residential College Biology faculty began asking the question: "Are undergraduate science laboratories teaching students the art and trade of science or simply leaving them with a memory of trivial experiments done for unknown reasons?" From our conversations with students in biology, it certainly appeared as though the latter was the consensus. In an effort to remedy this, over the last decade we pursued a long-term redesign of the biology sequence in the Lyman Briggs College of Science at Michigan State University. Combining what educational experts have found about active and cooperative learning (Karl Smith, David Johnson, et al) and challenging our own biology faculty to make the lab as realistic as possible, the lab curriculum departed from numerous 3-hour traditional labs that each student performed on their own, to what we now term "Teams and Streams."

In Spring 2009, research teams of four students each were challenged to propose and pursue a single focused research project for the semester. All students read & presented scientific publications in a weekly journal club on CF and PCR. One group, Les Filles, pursued a special "Paris Option" where half of their research would occur at MSU and the second half in Paris on Study Abroad. Three groups pursued a unique BRAID project where their focus was to bring together in one lab experiment the elements from several classes (Bio II, Chem II and HPS) they were enrolled in concurrently. The bulk of the students in the course, some 17 groups, had a focus on cystic fibrosis mutations and along the way developed a PCR-based diagnostic assay that could detect whether an individual carried a mutation known to cause the disease cystic fibrosis (CF). After learning lab techniques and reading the CF literature, groups adopted one mutation and designed PCR primers and protocols to diagnose their mutation. They also prepared genomic DNA extracted from human CF cells [IB3 & S9] and contacted CF researchers in the US and Europe to gather specimens known to have their mutation for control studies. Student teams pursued a 14-week investigation and presented their findings in various forms (web sites, interviews, and multiple drafts of a scientific manuscript along the way) as well as at the 3rd Annual Briggs Research Symposium as either posters or talks.

Student website reporting their proposal for Paris vs Detroit independent investigations from Spring Semester 2009

p53 in Paris: Detection of p53 Mutations in Sputum Associated with Oral Cancer in Smokers vs. Non-Smokers using PCR [in Paris vs Detroit]

Student websites reporting work for the BRAID independent investigations from Spring Semester 2009

BRAID-UV light and cancer: UV Light Induced Mutations in Human DNA sequences of the CDKN2A Gene Linked to Melanoma

BRAID-UV light resistance: Bacillus subtilis and UV Protection

BRAID-Climate Change: PCR Detection of Elevated CO2 Pmp1 Mutation within the LciB Gene Induced by UV Radiation of C. reinhardtii

Student websites reporting their findings at the end of the CF & PCR Stream independent investigations from Spring Semester 2009

R553X-CFTR: Genotypic Identification of CF Patients With R553X Mutations Using IB3 and S9 Cell Lines and ASPCR

G551D-CFTR: PCR and Electrophoresis Assay Accurately Identifying the G551D Cystic Fibrosis Genetic Mutation

N1303K-CFTR: Inconclusive PCR testing of the N1303K-CFTR Mutation in human cells; and selective advantage offered by the CF allele

N1303K-CFTR: A PCR-Based Assay That Detects CFTR N1303K in Genomic and cDNA Optimally with the Addition of 3mM MgCl2

G85E-CFTR: Diagnosis of the G85E-CFTR Mutation of Cystic Fibrosis Through the Use of PCR

G542X-CFTR: PCR supports the presence of wild-type G542X in S9 bronchial epithelial DNA from CF patients

G542X-CFTR: Development of Inconclusive Test Screening for G542X Mutation on CFTR via PCR in CF Patients

G542X-CFTR: Diagnosis of G542X mutation in bronchial epithelial cells of cystic fibrosis patients using PCR

G542X-CFTR: Unsuccessful Detection of G542X on CFTR using PCR and Gel Electrophoresis Coupled with Survey Analysis for Cystic Fibrosis Research Funding

1078delT-CFTR: Agarose Gel analysis of PCR amplified IB3 and S9 cell DNA Indicative of erroneous Primer Design for CF mutation 1078 del T

W1282X-CFTR: Detecting CF Mutation W1282X by PCR on epithelial cells while incorporating Taq Polymerase error rate

R117H-CFTR: Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Protein Mutation R117H

3272-26A->G CFTR: PCR Detection of 3272-26A->G CF Mutation in Patient Cells and Effect on Quality of Life

E60X_CFTR: Attempt to Locate Mutation E60X on a CFTR Gene through PCR Methods and Analysis of Comparative Antibiotic Awareness

A455E-CFTR : Increasing knowledge of DNA mutations: Designing primers for A455E and F508 gave a band at 800 base

A455E-CFTR : Primer Design for PCR to Detect the A455E Cystic Fibrosis Mutation at 831 bp in S9 Cells