Exploring the sea urchin genome with undergraduates using bioinformatic tools

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Marine Biology

Background:

• Undergraduate research experiences are crucial for developing problem-solving skills and scientific appreciation.
• Implementing research at primarily undergraduate institutions is challenging due to time and resource limitations.
• Integrating research into laboratory courses, with student-led topic selection, offers a viable solution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a series of activities for a semester or year-long undergraduate research project.
• To enable students to investigate a gene in a novel echinoderm species.
• To enhance students' scientific writing and oral communication skills.

Main Methods:

• Students select a gene for analysis in a novel echinoderm species.
• Gene cloning, sequence alignment with homologous sequences, quantitative PCR (qPCR), and whole-mount in situ hybridization (WMISH) are employed.
• Utilize bioinformatics databases, software, and online tools for gene analysis.

Main Results:

• Students gain practical experience in molecular biology techniques.
• Confirmation of gene identity and characterization of gene expression patterns are achieved.
• Streamlined protocols facilitate efficient project completion.

Conclusions:

• This integrated research project effectively equips undergraduates with essential scientific and transferable skills.
• The approach is adaptable for various academic levels and institutional settings.
• The project prepares students for future scientific endeavors or other professional careers.