BarcodingGO: A problem‐based approach to teach concepts related to environmental‐DNA and bioinformatics

In this paper, we propose and describe a new approach, named BarcodingGO, to teach environmental DNA and bioinformatics concepts to undergraduate or graduate students in molecular biology‐related fields. The learning pipeline proposed here aims to solve a simulated environmental monitoring problem,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemistry and molecular biology education 2021-03, Vol.49 (2), p.210-215
Main Authors: Nunes, Rhewter, Bem Oliveira, Ivone, Araújo Dias, Priscila, Bidinotto, Alexandre Borges, Campos Telles, Mariana Pires
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodiversity
Bioinformatics
College Science
College Students
computational skills
Conservation biology
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
eDNA
Educational Technology
Environment
Environmental DNA
Environmental monitoring
Genetics
genomics education
Handheld Devices
Learner Engagement
Molecular Biology
Natural Resources
Science Instruction
teaching approach
Teaching Methods
Telecommunications
Wildlife
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Summary:In this paper, we propose and describe a new approach, named BarcodingGO, to teach environmental DNA and bioinformatics concepts to undergraduate or graduate students in molecular biology‐related fields. The learning pipeline proposed here aims to solve a simulated environmental monitoring problem, in which a biodiversity survey of a particular region is needed to assess the impact of an environmental disaster. Biological surveys, in the context of environmental DNA studies, are performed by analyzing the DNA released by organisms living in a specific environment. We proposed a scenario in which quick response (QR) codes represented a given environmental DNA, and they were positioned in a scattered pattern across two regions of the classroom (representing pre and post scenarios for a particular environmental disaster). The QR codes redirect to a page that contained a fictional representation of an animal or a plant. Students then survey the region's biodiversity using QR code scanning applications on their cell phones by “capturing” these organisms as an analogy to the Pokémon GO game of the international Pokémon franchise. We believe this method (or even an adaptation of it) can be an essential tool to engage students in molecular biology classes. Moreover, this approach can help to teach how modern genomics and bioinformatics tools can be applied to solve real problems in conservation biology.
ISSN:1470-8175
1539-3429
DOI:10.1002/bmb.21424