Authors
Christopher D. Shaffer, Washington University in St. Louis
Consuelo Alvarez, Longwood University
Cheryl Bailey, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Daron Barnard, Worcester State College
Satish Bhalla, Johnson C. Smith University
Chitra Chandrasekaran, Texas Wesleyan University
Vidya Chandrasekaran, Saint Mary’s College of California
Hui-Min Chung, University of West Florida
Douglas R. Dorer, Hartwick College
Chunguang Du, Montclair State University
Todd T. Eckdahl, Missouri Western State University
Jeff L. Poet, Missouri Western State University
Donald Frohlich, University of St. Thomas
Anya L. Goodman, California Polytechnic State University
Yuying Gossner, The City College of New York
Charles Hauser, St. Edward’s University
Laura L.M. Hoopes, Pomona College
Diana Johnson, The George Washington University
Christopher J. Jones, Moravian College
Marian Kaehler, Luther College
Nighat Kokan, Cardinal Stritch University
Olga R. Kopp, Utah Valley University
Gary A. Kuleck, Loyola Marymount University
Gerard McNeil, York College, City University of New York
Robert Moss, Wofford College
Jennifer L. Myka, Galen College of Nursing
Alexis Nagengast, Widener University
Robert Morris, Widener University
Paul J. Overvoorde, Macalester College
Elizabeth Shoop, Macalester College
Susan Parrish, McDaniel College
Kelynne Reed, Austin CollegeFollow
E. Gloria Regisford, Prairie View A&M University
Dennis Revie, California Lutheran University
Anne G. Rosenwald, Georgetown University
Ken Saville, Albion College
Stephanie Schroeder, Webster University
Mary Shaw, New Mexico Highlands University
Gary Skuse, Rochester Institute of Technology
Christopher Smith, San Francisco State University
Mary Smith, North Carolina A&T State University
Eric P. Spana, Duke University
Mary Spratt, William Woods University
Joyce Stamm, University of Evansville
Jeff S. Thompson, Denison University
Matthew Wawersik, College of William and Mary
Barbara A. Wilson, Jackson State University
Jim Youngblom, California State University
Wilson Leung, Washington University in St. Louis
Jeremy Buhler, Washington University in St. Louis
Elaine R. Mardis, Washington University School of Medicine
David Lopatto, Grinnell College
Sarah C.R. Elgin, Washington University in St. Louis
Date of this Version
Spring 2010
Citation
CBE—Life Sciences Education Vol. 9, 55–69, Spring 2010.
Abstract
Genomics is not only essential for students to understand biology but also provides unprecedented opportunities for undergraduate research. The goal of the Genomics Education Partnership (GEP), a collaboration between a growing number of colleges and universities around the country and the Department of Biology and Genome Center of Washington University in St. Louis, is to provide such research opportunities. Using a versatile curriculum that has been adapted to many different class settings, GEP undergraduates undertake projects to bring draft-quality genomic sequence up to high quality and/or participate in the annotation of these sequences. GEP undergraduates have improved more than 2 million bases of draft genomic sequence from several species of Drosophila and have produced hundreds of gene models using evidence-based manual annotation. Students appreciate their ability to make a contribution to ongoing research, and report increased independence and a more active learning approach after participation in GEP projects. They show knowledge gains on pre- and postcourse quizzes about genes and genomes and in bioinformatic analysis. Participating faculty also report professional gains, increased access to genomics-related technology, and an overall positive experience. We have found that using a genomics research project as the core of a laboratory course is rewarding for both faculty and students.
Comments
Copyright © 2010 by The American Society for Cell Biology. Used by permission.