title: 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 coli. We also developed the Registry of Functional Promoters, an open-access database of student promoter research results. Using pre- and posttests, we measured significant learning gains among students using pClone in introductory biology and genetics classes. Student posttest scores were significantly better than scores of students who did not use pClone. pClone is an easy and affordable mechanism for large-enrollment labs to meet the high standards of Vision and Change.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035 macampbell@davidson.edu.
authors.forename: A Malcolm
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
authors.forename: Todd
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eckdahl
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cronk
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frederick
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huckuntod
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shinneman
authors.affiliation: *Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC 28035.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wacker
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO 64507.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005823:Genetics / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012106:Research / Q000193:education*; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D013334:Students; D058615:Synthetic Biology / Q000193:education*