STEMM: Sequence Technology Education Using Microbial Metagenomes

该项目正在扩大和加强一系列以DNA测序技术为重点的课程，DNA测序技术是一个迅速扩大的科学领域，需要熟练的学生迎接基因组时代提出的挑战。这些课程的开发和实施是响应“本科生物学教育的愿景和变化”，为本科生提供进行科学的能力。此外，该项目正在促进在一系列机构中教授类似课程。该项目包括：1）在西班牙裔服务大学圣地亚哥州立大学（SDSU）纵向整合宏基因组学并开发宏基因组学证书; 2）通过教师研讨会整合各机构的DNA测序和宏基因组学分析; 3）通过开发动态网络模块促进宏基因组学教学; 4）分析项目的有效性。智力优势：DNA测序技术使越来越多的生物体能够快速、廉价和高准确性地测序。微生物群落的DNA测序在医学和生命科学研究中变得越来越重要，学生需要在设计，进行和解释微生物实验方面进行培训。该项目正在制定战略，以促进在广泛的机构中教授宏基因组学，使学生能够进行研究，并增加关于微生物生态学中突出问题的科学知识。该项目为本科生提供了使用最新技术的知识，实践批判性思维和建立跨学科伙伴关系，并使他们能够解决21世纪的复杂问题。更广泛的影响：该项目为学生提供了与来自巴西，智利，墨西哥和澳大利亚的科学家合作和互动的独特机会。迄今为止，SDSU学生已经对40种微生物，60种宏基因组和一种海洋哺乳动物进行了测序，学会了如何分析数据，并成为国际合作的一部分，以确定海狮癌的基因组特征。此外，项目人员和学生参与描述海藻森林和珊瑚礁微生物群落对人类活动的反应。所产生的数据供决策官员用于自然资源管理。为了向公众宣传，项目人员在公共论坛上演讲，并为大众媒体，如国家地理和雷德电视台的早安巴西，并在澳大利亚圣地亚哥和巴西的学校介绍环境微生物，海洋学，保护和大学教育。项目成果正在通过网站和同行评审期刊上的出版物传播。

This project is expanding and enhancing a series of courses focused on DNA sequencing technology, an area of science that is expanding rapidly and requiring skilled students to meet the challenges that are presented by the genomics era. The development and implementation of these courses is responsive to "Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education" in providing undergraduates with competencies in conducting science. Additionally, the project is facilitating the teaching of similar courses across a range of institutions. The project is:1) Vertically integrating metagenomics and developing a Metagenomic Certificate at San Diego State University (SDSU), a Hispanic Serving University, 2) Integrating DNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis across institutions via faculty workshops, 3) Facilitating teaching of metagenomics through the development of dynamic web-based modules, and 4) Analyzing the effectiveness of the programs.Intellectual Merit: DNA sequencing technology is enabling an ever increasing range of organisms to be sequenced quickly, cheaply and with high accuracy. DNA sequencing of microbial communities is becoming important in medicine and life science research and students require training in designing, conducting and interpreting microbial experiments. This project is developing strategies to facilitate the teaching of metagenomics in a wide range of institutions, enabling students to conduct research and adding to scientific knowledge on outstanding questions in microbial ecology. The project is providing undergraduate students with the knowledge to use the latest technologies, practice at thinking critically and forming partnerships across disciplines, and empowering them to solve the complex problems of the 21 century.Broader Impacts: This project is providing students with unique opportunities to work and interact with scientists from Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Australia. To date SDSU students have sequenced 40 microbes, 60 metagenomes and a marine mammal, learned how to analyze the data and become part of an international collaboration to identify the genomic signature in sea lion carcinomas. Additionally, project personnel and students are involved in describing the response of kelp forests and coral reef microbial communities to human activities. Data generated is used by policy officials in natural resource management. To inform the general community, project personnel lecture at public forums, and for the popular press, such as National Geographic, and Good Morning Brazil on Rede TV, and present at schools in San Diego, Australia, and Brazil about environmental microbes, oceanography, conservation and college education. Project results are being disseminated through websites and publication in peer-reviewed journals.