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

这个RCN-UBE项目将研究模式生物酿酒酵母(面包酵母或酿酒酵母)中未知基因的功能。这种酵母的基因组在20年前就被测序了，然而近10%的基因没有指定的功能；这些基因被称为孤儿基因。在这个简单的模式生物体中，确定一整套基因的功能将有助于理解细胞的功能。酵母孤儿基因计划的目标是组织一个由本科生研究人员和教职员工组成的联盟，协调资源并设计实验策略，为酵母中的孤儿基因分配功能。基于对现有生物信息学数据集的分析，学生将设计和执行定义基因功能的实验。该网络将促进不同机构的学生之间的合作，以便学生在在线合作中积累经验的同时，分享战略和技术解决方案。从科学上讲，该项目将有助于更详细地了解酵母的生物学和酵母基因组的结构。最终，酵母孤儿基因项目旨在将确定孤儿基因功能的过程作为一种工具，向本科生教授生物信息学、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。它还将是一种机制，通过提供讲习班和评估支持，向不同的机构分发真实的以课程为基础的研究经验的经过测试的模式。通过共享资源，该网络将开发一个供各机构共享的在线课程模块的模式。网络活动将扩大教师的专业知识，并为本科生提供合作工具和资源。该项目由生物科学局和教育与人力资源局本科教育司联合资助，作为他们应对《本科生物学教育的愿景与变革：行动呼吁》(http://visionandchange/finalreport/).)中提出的挑战的一部分

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/).