Integrating Data Science and Hands-on Experience into the Community College Biotechnology Classroom with Applications to Antibody Engineering

抗体是脊椎动物免疫系统天然产生的蛋白质。它们在生物技术中很重要，在研究、诊断和治疗中用作试剂。使用抗体工程作为培训的重点，学生在Kapi'olani社区学院（KCC）将学习生物技术劳动力的实用技能。事实上，生物技术行业正在经历一个增长期，需要在许多学科（包括数据科学，人工智能和机器学习）中接受过培训的人才。此外，由于夏威夷严重依赖旅游业，疫情严重影响了夏威夷的经济。因此，为了使经济多样化，并在高科技、知识型和新兴产业（如生物技术）中创造高薪就业机会，夏威夷州有兴趣使创新产业多样化，以确保该州能够在技术先进的世界中发挥作用。作为一个少数民族服务机构，夏威夷本地学生人口约占20%，KCC有助于提高多样性，公平性和包容性。将抗体工程引入KCC常规生物技术课程的独特机会将有助于为夏威夷不断增长的生物技术和生物制造部门建立一支有能力的劳动力队伍。该项目还将为夏威夷经济的多样化做出贡献，并对夏威夷本地学生和夏威夷州乃至全国的生物技术产业产生积极影响。该项目将为Kapi'olani社区学院的生物技术课程引入新的抗体工程模块。第一个目标是培养学生进入生物技术劳动力队伍。第二个目标是展示数据科学在生物技术和生物制造中的重要性，并增强本科生的经验。第三个目标是培养学生在设计，生产，纯化和表征抗体使用设计-构建-测试范例。实现这些目标将扩展单克隆抗体服务机构和培训中心（MASFTC）的能力。本计画的具体目标为：（1）发展教室与实验室模组，以支援以实验为基础的本科生学习与研究活动，并将设计-建构-测试模式应用于抗体工程。(2)开发具有基于网络的图形用户界面的数据科学和生物信息学教育模块，以指导课堂活动和实验室组件，重点是本科生的研究经验。(3)建立KCC抗体卓越中心（KCC-ACE）数据库，记录KCC学生和教师进行的设计-构建-测试活动。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Antibodies are proteins naturally produced by the vertebrate immune system. They are important in biotechnology, serving as reagents in research, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Using antibody engineering as a focus for training, students at Kapi’olani Community College (KCC) will learn practical skills for the biotechnology workforce. Indeed, the biotechnology industry is experiencing a period of growth that requires talented personnel trained across many disciplines, including data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Moreover, the pandemic severely impacted the economy in Hawai’i due to its heavy reliance on tourism. Thus, to diversify the economy and create high-paying jobs in high-tech, knowledge-based, and emerging industries such as biotechnology, the state of Hawai’i is interested in diversifying innovative industries to ensure the state can function in a technologically advanced world. As a minority serving institution, with a native Hawaiian student population of ~20%, KCC contributes to the enhancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. The unique opportunity to introduce antibody engineering into KCC’s regular biotechnology curriculum will contribute to the building of a capable workforce for the growing biotechnology and biomanufacturing sectors in Hawai’i. This project will also contribute to the diversification of the economy in Hawai’i and have a positive impact on native Hawaiian students and the biotech industry in the state of Hawai’i and across the nation.This project will introduce new antibody engineering modules to the biotechnology program at Kapi’olani Community College. The first goal is to train students to enter the biotechnology workforce. The second goal is to demonstrate the importance of data science in biotechnology and biomanufacturing and to enhance the undergraduate experience. The third goal is to train students in the design, production, purification, and characterization of antibodies using the Design-Build-Test paradigm. Accomplishing these goals will extend the capabilities of the Monoclonal Antibody Service Facility and Training Center (MASFTC). The specific aims for this project are: (1) Develop classroom and laboratory modules to support experiential-based undergraduate learning and research activities using the Design-Build-Test paradigm as applied to antibody engineering. (2) Develop data science and bioinformatics education modules with a web-based graphical user-interface to guide classroom activities and laboratory components with an emphasis on undergraduate research experiences. (3) Establish the KCC-Antibody Center of Excellence (KCC-ACE) database to record the Design-Build-Test activities carried out by KCC students and faculty. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.