Transcription is the critical first step in expressing a gene, during which an RNA polymerase (RNAP) synthesizes an RNA copy of one strand of the DNA that encodes a gene. Here we describe a laboratory experiment that uses a single assay to probe two important steps in transcription: (1) RNAP binding to DNA, and (2) the transcriptional activity of…

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) can provide undergraduate students access to research opportunities when student and faculty resources are limited. In addition to expanding research opportunities, CUREs may also be explored as a pedagogical tool for improving student learning of course content and laboratory skills, as well…

The present study was to teach metabolic syndrome (MetS) disease through a scenario developed according to the problem-based learning (PBL) approach in the biochemistry class. The study was designed as a single group pre-test and post-test research. The study group consisted of first-year students (N = 183) from the nursing department within the…

Sanger sequencing, also known as dideoxy sequencing, is a widely used method for DNA sequencing, particularly for cloned plasmids and clinical samples. This technique requires a combination of essential biochemistry skills, such as a chain-termination reaction, gel electrophoresis, and fluorescence detection. Unfortunately, there is a lack of…

The construction and characterization of a glucose biosensor has been implemented in an instrumental chemical analysis course to provide students experience with chemical sensing, electroanalytical methods, and flow injection analysis (FIA). The glucose biosensor was assembled on a glassy carbon electrode by depositing a layer of Prussian blue…

Chemistry and biochemistry instructors must help students to develop the ability to visualize and manipulate 3D biomolecular structures and critically analyze them and their relationship to their functions. To do this, representative systems must be strategically selected to stimulate students' motivation. Since the World Health Organization…

Immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) can help students visualise and explore complex chemical concepts, such as protein enzyme structures and interactions. We designed a set of collaborative iVR-based learning tasks on the interaction between a protein enzyme and its substrate. We investigated how 18 pairs (36 students) in undergraduate chemistry…

DockIT is an interactive molecular docking tool suitable for teaching students about concepts related to drug-receptor interaction. Its most unique feature is the ability to model both local and global conformational change in the receptor based on information derived from the trajectory of a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The workshop…

Contemporary undergraduate medical education has been exploring ways to effectively link basic medical curricula with clinical practice. Despite the variety of approaches, there is still no effective model or assessment method. This study examines an improved case-based learning (CBL) model that attempts to bridge the transition between basic and…

Face-to-face teaching was quickly moved to remote teaching following the introduction of a national lockdown in the United Kingdom (UK) on 23 March 2020 to tackle the coronavirus pandemic 2019 (COVID-19). In this context, De Montfort University (DMU, UK) expanded and adapted its pre-existing open-access virtual learning environment, named…

Histone acetylation, catalyzed by e, has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's disease (AD). By longitudinally characterizing spatial memory at 3, 6, and 9 mo of age, we show that acute activation and inhibition of the histone acetyltransferase PCAF remediated memory impairments in 3xTG-AD mice in an age-related bidirectional…

Oxidation number (ON) is taught as an electron-counting concept for redox reactions in chemistry curriculum. The molecular formula method, the Lewis formula method, and the structural formula method have all been used to determine ON. However, the task of assigning ON still poses problems for some teachers and students. This paper explores a new…

Biochemistry is a data-heavy discipline, yet teaching students to work with large datasets is absent from many undergraduate Biochemistry programs. Ensuring that future generations of students are confident in tackling problems using big data first requires that educators become comfortable teaching big data skills. The activity described herein…

Dopamine participates in encoding memories and could either encode rewarding/aversive value of unconditioned stimuli or act as a novelty signal triggering contextual learning. Here we show that intraperitoneal injection of the dopamine D1/5R antagonist SCH23390 impairs contextual fear conditioning and tone-shock association, while intrahippocampal…

Organic electrode materials are progressively becoming a research hotspot for energy storage materials due to their renewable and environmentally friendly features. Inspired by the energy transduction mechanism of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) on the inner mitochondrial membrane of living organisms, the lithium storage electrochemical behavior…