Experiments in Bioinformatics

生物科学生物研究已经从实验室的工作台转移到台式计算机上。然而，生物信息学，即利用信息技术来管理、存储和分析生物数据，在生物课堂上很少使用。对学生来说，培养这一领域的研究技能不仅很重要，而且参与这些类型的活动可以让学生更好地理解分子生物学。该项目使大学和高中教师能够在生命科学课程中使用生物信息学，解决缺乏“课堂准备”的材料的问题。该项目正在开发教学材料，主要侧重于教学生如何使用国家生物技术信息中心(NCBI)提供的数据库和分析工具。学生通过使用生物信息学工具进行新颖的实验来学习生物学的基本概念。该项目的产品包括：1)从生物学家如何使用生物信息学的角度编写的教科书/实验室手册，提供该领域的概述和15至20个不同的实验，旨在帮助学生发展这一领域的技能；2)教师手册，帮助教师解释结果，并包括实施和基于探究的活动的指导方针；3)光盘补充，其中包含数据集和演示实验室如何工作的例子；以及4)为新手用户设计的在线动画教程，并可通过NCBI网站的教育页面获得。

Biological Sciences (61) Biological research has moved from the laboratory bench to the desktop computer. However, bioinformatics, the use of information technology to manage, store, and analyze biological data, is seldomly used in the biology classroom. Not only is it important for students to develop research skills in this area, but engaging in these types of activities gives students a better understanding of molecular biology. This project enables college and high school instructors to use bioinformatics in life science courses by addressing the lack of "classroom-ready" materials. The project is developing instructional materials that focus primarily on teaching students how to use the databases and analysis tools available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Students learn fundamental concepts in biology through the use of bioinformatics tools to perform novel experiments. Products of the project include: 1) a textbook/laboratory manual written from the perspective of how biologists use bioinformatics and providing an overview of the field and fifteen to twenty different experiments designed to help students develop skills in this area; 2) an instructor's manual to help instructors interpret results and including guidelines for implementation and inquiry-based activities; 3) a CD-ROM supplement containing data sets and examples that demonstrate how the laboratories work; and 4) on-line, animated, tutorials designed for novice users and made available through the education page at the NCBI web site.