Research-based interdisciplinary
skills across the curriculum
ASM Meeting 2009
Rupa Iyer PhD
Director of Biotechnology Programs
Director of Center for Life Sciences Technology
University of Houston
Academic Program
► 4- year interdisciplinary major leading to a B. S. degree
► Collaboration with Industry and Academic Partners
► Two tracks, Bioprocessing and Bioinformatics.
Laboratory Curriculum
► Designing new laboratory modules
► In collaboration with Melinda Wales, Ph.D. Reactive Surfaces and Texas A & M
Laboratory Curriculum
► Project Based
► Modular
► Model for interdisciplinary programs
Project - Based
► Soil bacterium Pseudomonas dimutins
► Plasmid encoded gene responsible for degradation of organophosphorous compounds (OP)
► OP gene identified, cloned, expressed and the upstream and downstream processes of protein production characterized.
► Applications in Environmental Biotechnology
IRBC
Module I :Environmental Sampling and Enumeration
► Sample Collection
Isolation and Characterization of Isolates
Obtain soil samples and isolate OP hydrolyzing colonies on primary culture plates.
Pesticide ( paraoxon , parathion ) used as sole sources of C, S, P
Module II: Remediation of Organophosphorous (OP) Compounds
► Cloning of the gene encoding organophosphorous hydrolases (opd)
Plasmid Isolation Restriction Digest Ligation and Transformation Enzymatic Assay of OPH
Module III: Bioprocessing
Good Manufacturing Practices
► Cell Growth► Bioreactors► Upstream Processing► Downstream Processing► Introduction to Nanotechnology
Beta Testing
► Module I and II
Brigham Young Hawaii – Fall 2007 UH - Research Experience for
Undergraduates, Summer 2008 Fall UH BTEC 3100 , Research Methods
and applications
Beta Testing
► Module III
BTEC 4398 Special topics in Bioprocessing Students develop parameters such as temperature, pH, and aeration for optimal bacterial growth in bioreactors.
Generate data when they manipulate that specific parameter.
They will share and interpret their data to propose optimal growth conditions for their bacterial culture.
Assessment and Evaluation
Assessment ► Research Paper► Lab Note Book► Quizzes
Evaluation
► Student assessment of learning gains
Research Experience
► Field Activity: Module I
Students collect soil samples Test for the presence of oph activity Location of oph activity Analyze data
► Collaborations: students test for the presence of oph (and pesticide contamination ) activity
Linking Research Experiences
► Electronic Lab Notebook
Student upload their own data Compare data with one another Submit a research paper Based on popular open source package (Drupal)