PClone: Synthetic Biology Tool Makes Promoter Research Accessible to Beginning Biology Students.

ABSTRACT: The Vision and Change report recommended genuine research experiences for undergraduate biology students. Authentic research improves science education, increases the number of scientifically literate citizens, and encourages students to pursue research. Synthetic biology is well suited for undergraduate research and is a growing area of science. We developed a laboratory module called pClone that empowers students to use advances in molecular cloning methods to discover new promoters for use by synthetic biologists. Our educational goals are consistent with Vision and Change and emphasize core concepts and competencies. pClone is a family of three plasmids that students use to clone a new transcriptional promoter or mutate a canonical promoter and measure promoter activity in Escherichia

SUBMITTER: Campbell AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4041505 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature