Genome to phenome: DNA-protein interactions involved in butterfly wing colored development
Michelle Borrero, University of Puerto Rico
We are interested in understanding the genomic mechanisms underlying morphological differences within species. We will use the wing color pattern of Heliconius erato as a model. We have developed a Course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) that will engage undergraduate biology majors in the identification and purification of transcription factors in butterfly wing development. Through this experience students will be able to use the knowledge and concepts from the literature to make and defend decisions, explain the role of DNA binding proteins in the genome to phenome relationship and recognize the application and utility of the techniques used in the research for their career development.

Climate Drivers of Phenology
Emily Mohl, Saint Olaf College
Many species' life cycles are strongly influenced by temperature, but other cues, like day length and precipitation, can also trigger life cycle changes. Phenology is a way of recording the time when events, ...

Comparison of Protein Sequences: BLAST searching and Phylogenetic Tree Construction
Wade Powell, Kenyon College
This laboratory exercise is a guided discovery of computational methods for comparing protein sequences. Students perform BLAST searches of reported CYP1A sequences and construct phylogenetic trees using CYP1A amino acid sequences from various vertebrate species, especially those with multiple CYP1A paralogs.

Darwin and the Galapagos Islands
Mitchell Colgan, College of Charleston
In this assignment the students read the Chapter 17 "Galapagos Archipelago" from The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin, and they examine a website about the Galapagos Islands. The students answer two ...

Using Phenocams and Eddy Covariance Data
Mary Heskel, Macalester College
This lab allowed students to explore multiple datasets through different means, with the objective of practicing ggplot and being comfortable using new R packages with different functionalities (ie phenocamr).

Unit 6.1 - Biogeochemical Modeling Framework
Adam Wymore, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
In this unit, students will learn about the dynamic movement of nutrients among and within ecosystems primarily through the reading and discussion of scientific literature. This unit is generally subdivided into ...

The Four-Winged Dinosaur
Tasha Dunn, Colby College
This is assignment is completed in two parts: It begins in class with a showing of the Nova documentary "The Four-Winged Dinosaur." It continues as a homework assignment in which students write a short ...

Malaria & Global Warming
Dale Blum, Pierce College
This is a group mapping exercise that examines the many factors that affect the distribution and possible future distribution of malaria in North and South America.

Biosphere Socratic Questions
Dorothy Merritts, Franklin and Marshall College
Sample Socratic questions and answers regarding the biosphere. -

Unit 3: Geologic Record of Past Climate
Callan Bentley, Piedmont Virginia Community College
Students will be introduced to a few of the different methods used in paleoclimatology, including isotopic ratios as paleotemperature proxies. They will investigate the greenhouse gas connections of two ancient ...