RCN-UBE Incubator: Transforming Undergraduate Education Through Increased Faculty Access to NextGen Sequencing Runs

该项目的重点是开发一个研究和教育网络的教师从小型，主要是本科院校的目标，包括新的下一代DNA序列分析正在进行的研究，使这些研究活动可以纳入核心课程内的本科生命科学课程。该网络正在与位于宾夕法尼亚州立大学（大学公园）的基因组测序核心设施合作，使大西洋中部地区小型学院的本科生和教师能够获得最先进的测序技术。最初的网络参与者包括Juniata学院、Susquehanna大学、迪克讷大学、汉普顿大学、摩根州立大学、新泽西拉马波学院、葛底斯堡学院、莱康明学院、洛克海文大学、Mount Aloysius学院、巴克内尔大学和胡德学院，宾夕法尼亚州立大学的基因组测序设施支持该倡议的数据获取和传播工作。该网络的形成正在通过以下方式启动：1）一个研讨会，以解决启动和维持一个对使用原始DNA序列进行本科研究和教学感兴趣的教师网络的后勤问题，以及2）制定用于获得所需DNA序列的实用计划和标准操作程序，以允许与多个网络参与者和研究中心的核心设施进行有效的互动，智力优势：基因组学和生物信息学是充满活力的领域，非常适合在研究实验室和教室中捕捉本科生的想象力。与研究密集型核心的正式关系可以提供一种高效且具有成本效益的机制，用于获取与小型学院教师兴趣一致的本科研究所需的所需原始序列数据。此外，网络教师将合作开发教学方法，将新的序列数据纳入其本科生物学课程的核心课程。区域网络还可以为教职员工和学生提供机会，让他们见面并提出数据供同行审查，并听取专家关于基因组学和生物信息学某些领域趋势的意见。预期成果包括增加本科生的“真实世界”学生研究经验，以及协调基于所收集的新研究数据的创新教育举措。通过使宾夕法尼亚州立大学的基因组测序设施更广泛地提供给大西洋中部地区的小型，主要是本科院校，该网络将为STEM教育提供额外的教育机会和资源，并为学生提供更好的机会，为研究生，技术和研究职业做好准备。更广泛地说，这一区域模式可以在其他地理区域复制，利用当地研究密集型大学的测序核心，支持该区域小型学院本科生的研究和教育活动，该项目由生物科学局、生物基础设施司和教育和人力资源局联合资助，本科教育司作为他们的愿景和本科生物学教育的努力变化的一部分。

The focus of this project is to develop a research and education network of faculty from small, primarily undergraduate institutions with the goal of including novel next-generation DNA sequence analysis in ongoing research, so that these research activities can be incorporated into core courses within the undergraduate life sciences curriculum. The network is collaborating with a genomic sequencing core facility located at Penn State University (University Park) to enable access to state-of-the-art sequencing technology to undergraduate students and faculty at small colleges in the mid-Atlantic region. Initial network participants include Juniata College, Susquehanna University, Duquesne University, Hampton University, Morgan State University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Gettysburg College, Lycoming College, Lock Haven University, Mount Aloysius College, Bucknell University and Hood College, with the genome sequencing facility at Penn State supporting the data acquisition and dissemination aspects of the initiative. Formation of the network is being initiated through 1) a workshop to address the logistics of starting and sustaining a network of faculty interested in using raw DNA sequence for undergraduate research and teaching, and 2) the formulation of a practical plan for obtaining the desired DNA sequence and a standard operating procedure to allow efficient interaction with multiple network participants and a core facility at a research-intensive institution.Intellectual Merit: Genomics and bioinformatics are dynamic fields well-suited for capturing the imagination of undergraduates in both research laboratories and classrooms. The formal relationship with a research-intensive core can provide an efficient and cost-effective mechanism for acquiring the desired raw sequence data needed for undergraduate research aligned with faculty interest at small colleges. In addition, network faculty will collaborate to develop teaching approaches that incorporate the novel sequence data into core courses within their undergraduate biology curriculum. A regional network can also provide opportunities for faculty and students to meet and present their data for peer-review and to hear from experts on trends in selected areas of genomics and bioinformatics. Anticipated outcomes include increased "real-world" student research experiences for undergraduates and coordination of innovative education initiatives that build from the novel research data collected.Broader Impacts: By making Penn State's genome sequencing facility more broadly accessible to small, primarily undergraduate colleges in the mid-Atlantic region, this network will provide additional educational opportunities and resources for STEM education and improved opportunity for students to be prepared for graduate, technical and research careers. More broadly, this regional model could be replicated in other geographic regions, using a sequencing core at a local research-intensive university, to support the research and educational activities of undergraduates at small colleges in that region.This project is being jointly funded by the Directorate for Biological Sciences, Division of Biological Infrastructure and the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, Division of Undergraduate Education as part of their Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education efforts.