RCN-UBE: Yeast Orphan Gene Project: Finding a place for ORFans to GO

这个RCN-UBE项目将研究酿酒酵母（Baker's或Brewer's yeast）模式生物中未知基因的功能。这种酵母的基因组是在20年前测序的，但近10%的基因没有指定的功能；这些基因被称为孤儿基因。在这种简单的模式生物中确定整套基因的功能将对理解细胞的功能有意义。酵母孤儿基因项目的目标是组织一个由本科生研究人员和教师组成的联盟，协调资源和设计实验策略，以确定酵母中孤儿基因的功能。基于对现有生物信息学数据集的分析，学生将设计并执行定义基因功能的实验。该网络将促进不同院校学生之间的合作，使学生可以分享策略和技术解决方案，同时发展在线合作的经验。在科学上，该项目将有助于更详细地了解酵母生物学和酵母基因组结构。最终，酵母孤儿基因项目旨在利用确定孤儿基因功能的过程作为工具，教授本科生生物信息学，基因组学，分子生物学和遗传学的关键概念，并传授科学合作和领导方面的宝贵经验。该网络将为教师提供工具，以扩大本科生的研究经验，并将研究经验纳入本科课程。它还将成为一种机制，通过提供讲习班和评估支持，向各种不同的机构分发经过测试的真实课程研究经验模型。通过资源共享，网络将形成一种模式，使在线课程模块在各院校之间共享。网络活动将扩大教师的专业知识，并为本科生提供合作的工具和资源。该项目由生物科学理事会和本科教育司教育和人力资源理事会共同资助，作为其应对《本科生物学教育的愿景与变革：行动呼吁》（http://visionandchange/finalreport/）所提出的挑战的努力的一部分。

This RCN-UBE project will investigate the function of unknown genes in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's or Brewer's yeast). The genome of this yeast was sequenced 20 years ago, yet nearly 10% of the genes have no assigned function; these genes are called orphan genes. Determining the function of the complete set of genes in this simple model organism will meaningfully contribute to the understanding of how cells function. The goal of the Yeast Orphan Gene Project is to organize a consortium of undergraduate student researchers and faculty to coordinate resources and design experimental strategies to assign functions to orphan genes in yeast.Based on analysis of available bioinformatics data sets, students will design and execute experiments for defining gene function. The network will facilitate collaboration between students at different institutions so that students can share strategies and technique solutions while developing experience in on-line collaborations. Scientifically, the project will contribute to a more detailed understanding of the biology of yeast and the structure of the yeast genome. Ultimately, the yeast orphan gene project aims to use the process of determining orphan gene function as a tool to teach undergraduate students key concepts in bioinformatics, genomics, molecular biology, and genetics and impart valuable experience in scientific collaboration and leadership. The network will provide tools for faculty to expand research experience for undergraduates and incorporate research experiences into undergraduate courses. It will also be a mechanism to distribute a tested model of an authentic course-based research experience to a diverse set of institutions by providing workshop and assessment support. Through sharing of resources, the network will develop a model for online course modules to be shared among institutions. The networking activities will expand the expertise of faculty, as well as provide undergraduates tools and resources for collaboration.This project is being jointly funded by the Directorate for Biological Sciences and the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, Division of Undergraduate Education as part of their efforts to address the challenges posed in Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education: A Call to Action (http://visionandchange/finalreport/).