CAREER: The Research Integrated Curriculum Involving A Molecular Study of Retrotransposition

这个职业奖的教育目标是让学生从高中到大学都能感受到科学研究的激情。这是通过以下方式实现的：通过开发基于主要研究者实验室研究的研究性实验课程“分子技术”，为本科生充分参与研究做好准备。2. 提供高级研究的顶点经验，并为学生提供展示其研究成果的机会。3. 让当地高中教师参与研究项目，并通过制定和实施适当的课程练习，帮助他们更有效地将研究过程与学生联系起来。开发的练习将通过在朱尼亚塔学院成功开展的“运动中的科学”外展项目进行分发。继续建立一个强大的生物化学/细胞和分子生物学课程，通过咨询和整合教育活动，让学生接触到研究的过程和复杂性。本研究涉及利用遗传系统研究酵母逆转录因子的逆转录机制。这些元素的逆转录酶（RT）酶，就像逆转录病毒的RT酶一样，在将其RNA复制到DNA的第一步中，使用宿主编码的tRNA分子作为引物。由此产生的DNA可以被整合到宿主基因组中，允许进一步复制。由于进行酵母遗传研究所需的技术相对简单，因此该研究适合本科生。研究目标是：1。使用tRNA基因的饱和诱变，在分子技术实验室启动，以确定对RT酶识别重要的残基。2. 利用鉴定出的tRNA突变在体内筛选一组RT突变以挽救转位，从而鉴定出RT酶中识别tRNA引物所需的氨基酸残基。3. 纯化突变体RT酶用于与引物tRNA相互作用的协同生化研究。研究目标的实施直接关系到建立一个强大的项目的机构目标，其中包括一个研究经验的机会。教育目标将通过融入课程来加强这一目标，从高中开始，让学生有机会体验发现的兴奋。选择作为大学高年级学生进行顶点研究项目的学生将做好充分的准备，确保积极和富有成效的前沿研究经验。

Keeney 9722274 The educational objectives of this CAREER award are to expose students to the excitement of scientific research from the high school through the college level. This is being achieved by: 1. Preparing undergraduate students for engaging fully in research through development of an investigative laboratory course, Molecular Techniques, based on the research in the principal investigator's laboratory. 2. Providing the capstone experience of senior research and providing the opportunity for students to present their research results. 3. Involving local high school teachers in the research project and assisting them in more effectively relating the research process to their students through development and implementation of appropriate curricular exercises. Developed exercises will be distributed through the successful Science in Motion Outreach Project in place at Juniata College. 4. Continuing building a strong Biochemistry/Cell and Molecular Biology Program through advising and integration of educational activities which expose students to the process and complexity of research. The research involves using a genetic system to study the mechanism of reverse transcription in yeast retroelements. The reverse transcriptase (RT) enzyme of these elements, like the RT enzymes of retroviruses, employ a host-encoded tRNA molecule as a primer in the first step of copying their RNA into DNA. The resulting DNA can then be incorporated into the host genome, allowing for further replication. The research is appropriate for undergraduates due to the relative simplicity of techniques required to conduct yeast genetic studies. The research objectives are to: 1. Use saturated mutagenesis of the tRNA gene, initiated in the Molecular Techniques laboratory, to identify residues important for recognition by RT enzyme. 2. Use identified tRNA mutations to screen a panel of RT mutations in vivo for the rescue of transposition, thus identifying the amino acid residues in the RT enzyme required f or recognition of the tRNA primer. 3. Purify mutant RT enzyme for collaborative biochemical studies of interaction with primer tRNA. Implementation of the research objectives relates directly to the institutional goal of building a strong program which includes an opportunity for research experience. The educational objectives will strengthen this goal by integrating into the curriculum, beginning in high school, the opportunities for students to experience the excitement of discovery. Students choosing to pursue a capstone research project as college seniors will be well prepared, assuring a positive and productive experience with cutting-edge research.