Better Labs Through CUREs CUREs Lab Students conducting

Better Labs Through CUREs : CUREs Lab Students conducting Course Based Undergraduate PRESENTER: Research Experiences • Students reported a higher sense of personal achievement, and confidence in their ability to contribute to solving a real world problem. relevant research report significant Dr. Jenny Cappuccio, HSU Dr. Matthew Escobar, CSUSM BACKGROUND: Undergraduate research is a high-impact educational (Koh 2008 AAC&U). practice The Problem • Only a limited number of student are able to access in depth research experiences due to limited faculty time and funding. Approach • Incorporate course based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) into course design • CHEM 434 L Biochemistry I (HSU) • BIOT 355 - Molecular Biotechnology (CSUSM) gains in analyzing data , problem solving, and understanding. Percentage of Student Reporting Gain In Thinking like a Scientist 61 -89% Great/Good Gain 70, 0 Relevant Research! Biofuels • Students investigate potential for their ability to break down cellulose for biofuels. • Partner with DOE Joint Genome Institute and UC Davis Assessment 60, 0 cellulase enzymes Starch Cellulose Alpha amylase Cellulase Glucose Microbial fermentation 50, 0 Project Ownership F 2020 HSU Non-Cognitive Predictors of Student Success: I was responsible for the outcomes of my research in the. Domestic lab A Predictive Validity Comparison Between and International Students 40, 0 The findings of my research project in the lab gave me a sense of personal achievement My research project in the lab was interesting 30, 0 My research in the lab will help to solve a problem in the world My findings in the lab are important to the scientific community. Research Goal • Identify novel cellulase enzymes • Develop better biofuel production methods • Ultimately reduce carbon dioxide emissions Ethanol Educational Goal • More students can access high-impact research practices to a broader array of diverse students and can serve as an equity based practice. • 56% (CSUSM) - 61% (HSU) students report no prior research. METHODS Hess et al 2011 Bioprospecting for Cellulases (JGI partners) • Metagenomic analysis of cow rumen • Switchgrass bovine microbiome • Identified 27, 755 Putative carbohydrate active genes • Only 90 analyzed (0. 3%) • 57% enzymatically active Research Results • Some cellulase activity observed …Currently under analysis 0, 0 20, 0 Strongly Disagree Soemwhat disagree 10, 0 20, 0 Neither agree or Disagree 30, 0 40, 0 Somewhat agree 50, 0 60, 0 70, 0 Strongly Agree 10, 0 Project Ownership F 2019 CSUSM 0, 0 I was responsible for the outcomes of my research in the lab Great gain HSU Great gain CSUSM Good gain HSU Good gain CSUSM Moderate Gain HSU Moderate Gain CSUSM A little Gain HSU A little Gain CSUSM Neither gain nor loss HSU The findings of my research project in the lab gave me a sense of personal achievement My research project in the lab was interesting Ananlyzing data for patterns Problem solving in general Understanding the relevance of research to my coursework Understanding theory and concepts guiding my research project My research in the lab will help to solve a problem in the world My findings in the lab are important to the scientific community. 0, 0 Strongly Disagree Learning from failures BIOT 355 CSUSM Complete Semester 2019 435 L Isolate DNA from cow rumen microbes Amplify the gene isolated DNA by PCR Insert the gene sequence into expression vector and transform Top 10 E. coli Colony PCR to identify recombinant vectors Isolate plasmid, sequence to verify cellulase gene insert Transform BL 21 E. coli CHEM 434 L - 4 weeks partial semester 2020 (JGI clones) CHEM Grow culture Activate protein production with IPTG Isolate protein Analyze concentration purify the Histagged proteins CMC Cellulase Plate Assay Further Research Visualize Protein SDSPAGE Scaffold Student Design Soemwhat disagree 10, 0 20, 0 Neither agree or Disagree 30, 0 40, 0 Somewhat agree 50, 0 60, 0 70, 0 80, 0 Strongly Agree Dr. Jenny Cappuccio, HSU Chemistry Dr. Matthew Escobar, CSU San Marcos