Versatile Undergraduate Neurobiology Course-Based Research Experiences Using Open Access 3D Electron Microscopy Image...

Area of Science:

• Neurobiology
• Undergraduate Education
• Scientific Research Methodology

Background:

• Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) offer benefits but face implementation barriers due to time and cost.
• Traditional CUREs often involve extensive data acquisition, limiting time for analysis and critical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an alternative CURE model using open-access 3D image volumes for neurobiology research.
• To demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of image volume CUREs (ivCUREs) in an undergraduate setting.

Main Methods:

• Developed and implemented a 10-week inquiry-based ivCURE utilizing free, open-access 3D neurobiology image data.
• Undergraduates analyzed over 670 excitatory synapses across two brain areas for spinule presence and origins.
• Reconstructed 13 synapses in 3D to investigate synaptic features.

Main Results:

• Identified the prevalence of spinules within excitatory presynaptic boutons.
• Highlighted the potential importance of these synaptic features to neuronal function.
• Demonstrated the low-cost, scalable nature of ivCUREs, enabling publishable analyses.

Conclusions:

• ivCUREs provide a flexible, cost-effective alternative for implementing authentic research experiences in undergraduate neurobiology.
• This model allows students to focus on data analysis, hypothesis testing, and critical evaluation.
• The increasing availability of 3D imaging data and tools will foster more inquiry-based ivCUREs in neurobiology.