Biotechnology by Design: An Introductory Level, Project-Based, Synthetic Biology Laboratory Program for Undergraduate...

Area of Science:

• Synthetic biology
• Molecular genetics
• Biotechnology education

Background:

• Undergraduate laboratory courses can be enhanced with research-style, inquiry-based projects.
• Synthetic biology provides an ideal framework for developing such projects.
• Integrating research into curricula improves student engagement and understanding of the scientific process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and implement a semester-long, project-based synthetic biology laboratory curriculum for undergraduate genetics courses.
• To develop a novel sensory device using synthetic biology principles.
• To assess student learning gains in molecular genetics and practical laboratory skills.

Main Methods:

• Students utilized a cloning strategy with standardized BioBrick genetic parts.
• A reporter plasmid expressing GFP was constructed, controlled by a hybrid promoter regulated by lacI.
• A sensor plasmid was used to inhibit GFP production in the presence of arabinose, creating a functional sensory device.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated significant learning gains (p < 0.05) across all five assessed learning objectives.
• Ninety percent of students reported enhanced understanding of molecular genetics.
• The project successfully integrated molecular genetics, recombinant DNA techniques, and information literacy.

Conclusions:

• The synthetic biology laboratory project effectively immerses students in research-style inquiry, enhancing their understanding of molecular genetics.
• The curriculum is adaptable for various course levels, from introductory to advanced.
• This project-based approach successfully develops practical molecular biology skills and subject matter knowledge.