GEMF PROGRAM

Undergraduate Profile

Gustavus Adolphus College

“ In January of 2003, we put the system to the test with a first-year student who had just one semester of science under her belt,” says Dr. Colleen Jacks, associate professor of biology. “We learned together and had no trouble getting useful data on the first runs.”

“ So much of the bookwork just explains how things are done; using the instrument let me jump right into actually doing research,” says Gustavus freshman Jessica Proctor. “It’s not as complicated as I thought it would be. We tested four different protocols to isolate DNA.”

A strong laboratory-based curriculum is key to the college’s approach to undergraduate education. “Our approach is to first teach the technology basics. Then we get the students to understand analysis capabilities by teaching the question-solution-application approach to problem solving,” says Dr. Jeffrey Dahlseid, assistant professor of biology and chemistry. “With that foundation, students can then use the LI-COR system as research tool for which it is intended.”

“ In applying for the award, we saw the LI-COR system as a way to provide curricular improvements to increase student literacy in molecular genetics and to expand the research capabilities for our students who partner with faculty in research,” says Dahlseid. “Due to high enrollment it would be impossible to incorporate DNA sequencing without the availability of a non-radioactive, automated system.”

Students initially used the instrument to assist with faculty research projects. Dr. Pam Kittleson, assistant professor of biology notes that involving students in actual research “is key to putting concepts into practice. We generated a tremendous amount of data in just a couple of days, a complete manuscripts’ worth in two-to-three days of running gels.”

“ Students must develop an understanding and appreciation for the generation of data, its analysis and the broad range of medical, evolutionary and other applications for the sequence data,” says Kittleson. She adds that the goal is for students to advance both their ability to critically evaluate published scientific research and their understanding to design, carry out and communicate results of an experiment.

In the fall of 2003, Gustavus is using the LI-COR system as the focal point of a new genetics course that combines cell biology and molecular biology courses.

Undergraduate Profile

Muhlenberg College

“ The first week the LI-COR is in the lab, a student will be using it as part of an ongoing study of mosquitoes and human disease,” adds Edwards. “We already have plans to integrate the instrument into two classes this fall and several more next semester”. Students in the Introductory Cell Biology course use a bacterial strain that expresses Green Fluorescent Protein to learn about bacterial transformation and protein expression.

“ Now the students will be able to take the next step and actually sequence the Green Fluorescent Protein gene and analyze it using the tools of bioinformatics,”says Edwards. “Independent research projects in our Cell Biology course already included amplifying their choice of cytoskeletal protein genes from cultured Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells with PCR. The addition of the LI-COR system will let the students take the analysis a step further as they sequence the genes and explore the connections between genetics and cell biology.”

To further expand student exposure to the LI-COR system, Muhlenberg’s departments of chemistry and biology will share the instrument.

Dr. Weiner notes that both lower and upper level chemistry students will use the LI-COR system. “We even plan to use it as part of a mini-forensics lab based on an experiment by Julie Millard, Colby College, Waterville Maine.” In this exercise, students will collect DNA from a simulated crime scene, amplify specific mitochondrial gene sequences using PCR and sequence the gene fragments. “Variations in DNA sequence may not be apparent on agarose gels of PCR products, but may result in a guilty verdict!” says Weiner.

Muhlenberg College is one of only 67 colleges nationwide offering a biochemistry major certified by the American Chemical Society. Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College is a private, Lutheran-affiliated, highly selective, liberal arts college in Allentown, Pa.

Undergraduate Profile

Benedictine University

Location:
Lisle, Illinois

Size:
5,279 students

Science Majors:
800 students

Website
www.ben.edu

GEMF Award Date:
Spring 2006

About the Institution:

Benedictine University is a Catholic university in the Benedictine tradition that provides a values-centered liberal arts education enriched by excellence in science. Benedictine has been recognized by U.S. Congress Office of Technology and Assessment and the National Science Foundation as being among the most productive schools in the country for the rate graduates go on to earn doctorates in science. Three Howard Hughes Medical Institute grants were used to develop a successful undergraduate research program. In the past 12 years, the University has received grants from the National Science Foundation for several projects supporting curriculum development, science instrumentation and research.

LI-COR^® 4300 DNA Sequencer in the Curriculum:

“The LI-COR DNA analysis system is a central part of our genomics core facility that is fully accessible to undergraduate student researchers. From gel casting and loading to image processing, the LI-COR platform allows students hands-on experience in DNA fragment analysis and sequencing that is transparent to the technology that produced the genomics revolution. In addition to teaching, the instrument has proven central to our research in the areas of molecular genetics and genomics. While the sequencing capabilities are noteworthy, the LI-COR system has few peers in the area of fragment analysis for DNA fingerprinting studies.” – Dr. Preston R. Aldrich, Assistant Professor of Biology

Here's what students have to say...

Here's what instructors have to say...

Research Grants

• Aldrich, P.R., Greer, G.K. (2004 – 2008) Genetic and biochemical variation of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima with special reference to managing the threat to regeneration of oak forests in the Northeast. USDA – Forest Service Research Grant, $103,468

Papers & Posters

• JOURNAL ARTICLES (Undergraduate co-authors)
• Aldrich, P.R., Briguglio, J., Kapadia, S., Morker, M., Rawal, A., Huebner, C., Greer, G.K. (in prep) Network architecture of the Ailanthus gene pool in eastern U.S. cities.
• POSTERS (Undergraduate co-authors)
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. Science Open House, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Aldrich, P. R., Asad Ahmed, Nazia Ayub, Joseph Briguglio, Shyam Kapadia, Minesh Morker, Caitlin Ondracek, Ankit Rawal, Abrar Salam, Cynthia Huebner, and Gary Greer (2007) Genome scans of adaptive diversity in U.S. populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima. Meeting of the Botanical Society of America, Chicago, IL, 7-11 July 2007
• Rawal, A., S. Kapadia, M. Morker, and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Genetic structure of eastern populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima: A microsatellite study. Meeting of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL.
• Ayub, N., and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Cytochrome P450 variation in fragmented populations of the tropical tree Symphonia globulifera. Meeting of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL.
• Aldrich, P. R., C. Ondracek, D. Shiao, A. Rawal, S. Kapadia, S. Nasaruddin, K. Sokolowski, G. Greer, and C. Huebner (2005) Molecular genetic variation in U.S. populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae). Meeting of the Botanical Society of America, Austin, TX.
• PRESENTATIONS (Undergraduate co-authors)
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. Tri-Beta Society, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Network biology and the genetic structure of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima. ACCA Student Symposium on Invasive Species, November 11, 2008 at Benedictine University.
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. American Chemical Society/Society of Physics Students (ACS/SPS) Student Meeting, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Ahmed, Y., Colella, M., Aldrich, P.R. (2008) Genetic diversity at the P450 cytochrome gene superfamily for the oak species. Summer Research Symposium, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Briguglio, J. and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Forest fragmentation and genetic bottleneck effects on variation at the cytochrome P450 multigene family in the tropical tree Symphonia globulifera. Summer Research Symposium, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Ondracek, C., and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Genetic structure of eastern populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima: A survey of cytochrome P450 variation. Meeting of the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA), University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL.
• Salam, A., A. Ahmed, and P. R. Aldrich (2006) Cytochrome P450 variation in U.S. populations of the invasive tree Ailanthus altissima”. Summer Research Symposium, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
• Aldrich, P.R., and G Greer (2005) Genetics and biochemical variation of US Ailanthus altissima populations: a preliminary discussion of a research plan. 16th USDA Interagency Research Forum on Gypsy Moth and Other Invasive Species, Annapolis, MD.

Where we found our funds

Matching funds were provided through a Department of Energy grant “Benedictine University Science Lab Equipment Project to Upgrade Science Laboratory Facilities and Establish a Center for Biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.”

Contact Information

Dr. Preston R. Aldrich
Department of Biological Sciences
Benedictine University
Birck Hall 341
5700 College Road
Lisle, IL 60532-0900
Phone: 630-829-6519
Fax: 630-829-6547
Email: paldrich@ben.edu