Using the CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering technology to understand gene function in the zebrafish part of CUREnet:CURE Collection
Anil Kumar Challa, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Using a combination of bioinformatics and lab bench ('wet lab') tools, students design, synthesize and analyze CRISPR reagents that can effectively target specific sites in the genome. We use the zebrafish as a model system to understand gene function.

CREARE: Coral Response to Environment Authentic Research Experience part of CUREnet:CURE Collection
Juan Ramirez Lugo, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus
There is growing body of evidence to support that students who directly experience authentic scientific research are more likely to continue onto advanced degrees and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In an effort to introduce more students to the benefits of scientific research we have drawn on an ongoing research project aimed at understanding how Corals Respond to the Environment (CRE) to develop an interdisciplinary laboratory course based on Authentic Research Experiences (ARE). A small cohort of undergraduate students enrolled in a semester-long course, entitled CREARE, perform biochemical experiments in the laboratory, analyze environmental data by R statistical software and prepared a report modeled after a research manuscript to present their work. The impact of CREARE on student learning gains and attitudes towards science is being measured, as is the impact of CREARE on participants' career choices and retention in STEM. This multidisciplinary research program addresses the impact of climate change on the health of a critically endangered coral species, ultimately leading to a better stewardship of this invaluable resource. Furthermore, CREARE offers a unique experience for students, one that may serve as a model for the development of more research-based courses, leading to improved retention in our STEM departments.

Using Ocean Plastic Research to Increase Student Engagement and Persistence in Biology part of CUREnet:CURE Collection
Ana Maria Barral, National University
The Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (HSI Program) aims to enhance undergraduate STEM education and build capacity at HSIs. Projects supported by the HSI Program will also generate new knowledge on how to achieve these aims. This project at National University will advance the aims of the HSI Program by adding research experiences to undergraduate biology courses. Through a collaboration with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, this project incorporates course-based undergraduate research (CURE) biology courses for biology majors and for non-majors. The research topics focuses on plastic pollution in the ocean, particularly the microbial populations attached to floating plastic. The CURE is modular and can be adapted for undergraduate courses of different levels. In addition, a virtual adaptation was implemented during the Covid-19 epidemic lockdown phase. A version of the CURE designed for microbiology courses uses the established Tiny Earth methodology to isolate antibiotic producing bacteria from plastic debris.

Microbiology in Jeopardy part of Microbial Life:Teaching Methods:Teaching with Games:Examples
Stephen C. Wagner, Stephen F. Austin State University
This group learning activity involves students in an engaging review of concepts of microbiology. The review is set up as a power point presentation in the style of the "Jeopardy" gameshow where students groups compete against each other to answer review questions.

Simple Mendelian Genetics: An interactive lecture using "DNA from the Beginning" part of Merlot Biology Pedagogic Collection:Interactive Lectures:Examples
Jeff Bell, California State University-Chico
An interactive lecture that uses flash animations showing the researcher and their experiments that were used to develop the basic concepts in Mendelian genetics. Includes multiple choice questions students can ...

Translation simulation part of Merlot Biology Pedagogic Collection:Conceptual Models:Examples
Scott Cooper, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
This module introduces students to the basics behind translation of a messenger RNA sequence into protein. In addition to text and movies, there are interactive shockwave animations that allow students to move ribosomes and tRNAs to perform translation.

Genetic Drift part of Starting Point-Teaching Entry Level Geoscience:Mathematical and Statistical Models:Mathematical and Statistical Models Examples
Scott Cooper, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
In this biology simulation, students use a mathematical simulation of genetic drift to answer questions about the factors that influence this evolutionary process. Students run a series of simulations varying ...

Searching Genbank part of Merlot Biology Pedagogic Collection:Teaching with Data:Examples
Jeff Bell, California State University-Chico
An active problem-based assignment that uses the Genbank database to teach the basics of molecular biology and molecular evolution

RNA processing and northern blot technique problem part of Pedagogy in Action:Library:Coached Problem Solving:Examples
Debby Walser-Kuntz, Carleton College; Sarah Deel, Carleton College
Students are given a figure from a journal article of a northern blot, and are asked to interpret the results, demonstrating an understanding of both the northern blot technique and RNA processing in eukaryotic cells.

Phenylketonuira part of Merlot Biology Pedagogic Collection:Teaching with Data:Examples
Scott Cooper, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
In this activity, students are assigned different alleles of the gene for phenylalanine hydroxylase to research using OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man). They are then asked to both explain and illustrate how this mutation may cause the disease phenylketonuria (PKU).