Incorporation of a Proteomics Laboratory Course Into the Undergraduate Biology Curriculum

位于宾厄姆顿的纽约州立大学的生物学系寻求加强其基因组学和蛋白质组学的本科生物学课程，该课程目前包括基因组学和蛋白质组学的基于计算机的问题解决课程。我们正在改编瓦萨学院的蛋白质组学课程。随着蛋白质组学设备的收购，包括从阿默舍姆的Ettan MALDI-Pro质谱仪，我们正在建立一个动手，跨学科，以探究为基础的蛋白质组学实验室课程。学生正在学习蛋白质组学的标准工具：用于蛋白质分离的2-D电泳和通过肽质量指纹和肽测序进行蛋白质鉴定的MALDI-ToF质谱（MS）。学生们在进行越来越复杂的练习时正在学习这些技术。随后，在生物、化学、心理学和生物工程系教员的指导下，开展了一个调查研究项目。这些教师导师通过提供研究方向、样品制备指导、指定阅读和支付供应成本的财政支持来加强课程讲师的努力。学生承诺在教师导师的实验室进行独立研究的额外学期，以确保他们完成高质量的研究项目，并熟练掌握蛋白质组学工具。属于科学代表性不足的群体的学生被强烈鼓励参加这门课程。此外，质谱仪的使用正在纳入附近学院教师和学生的夏季讲习班以及其他8个生物学，化学和生物工程课程，每年招收771名学生。我们正在通过网站、教育期刊以及在ASM和ASPB专业协会会议上的演讲来传播研究结果。

The Biology Department at the State University of New York at Binghamton seeks to enhance its undergraduate biology program in genomics and proteomics, which currently consists of a computer-based problem-solving course in Genomics and Proteomics. We are adapting the proteomics course from Vassar College. With acquisition of proteomics equipment including an Ettan MALDI-Pro mass spectrometer from Amersham, we are establishing a hands-on, interdisciplinary, inquiry-based Proteomics Laboratory course. Students are learning standard tools of proteomics: 2-D electrophoresis for protein separation and MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry (MS) for protein identification by peptide mass fingerprinting and peptide sequencing. Students are learning the techniques as they carry out incrementally more complex exercises. This is being followed by an investigative research project under the mentorship of faculty members from the biology, chemistry, psychology and bioengineering departments. These faculty mentors are enhancing the course instructors' efforts by providing research direction, tutelage in sample preparation, assigned readings, and financial support to cover supply costs. Students commit to an additional semester of independent research in the faculty mentors' laboratory to ensure that they complete a high-quality research project and develop proficiency with proteomics tools. Students belonging to groups underrepresented in science are being strongly encouraged to take the course. In addition, use of the mass spectrometer is being incorporated in summer workshops for faculty and students from nearby colleges as well as in 8 other biology, chemistry, and bioengineering courses, with annual enrollments of 771 students. We are disseminating results through a website, educational journals, and presentations at the ASM and ASPB professional society meetings.