Promoting student community and communication through authentic learning tasks designed for group work in large 1st and 2nd year biology subjects

This study, conducted at the University of Wollongong (2010-2011), evaluated assessment tasks introduced in two large biology subjects, Biol103 (471 students) and Biol213 (300 students). We aimed to increase relevance, interest and motivation by promoting deeper learning through group work. The tasks were designed to contextualise lecture content through exposure to current research. In Biol103, guidance on how to complete the group project was given during the first of three, 1.5-hr dry practical classes (1:20 teacher to student ratio). The group findings were presented via a poster in the 2nd, and an oral seminar in the 3rd dry practical class. In contrast, the assessment task in Biol213 was web-based, and teacher interaction was limited to one 30-min lecture outlining the details of the assignment. Groups reviewed a research article, of their choice and the final review manuscript was posted on the subject website. Seventy percent of Biol213 and 90% of Biol103 students responded that group work improved community, communication and collaborative skills. However, student perception of subject relevance was only improved in Biol103. We conclude from these results firstly, that group work is beneficial in terms of improving student connectedness and feeling of community in large subjects, and secondly, that web-based assessments, although convenient, may not be as effective for improving interest and relevance as assessments with a higher level of face to face interaction and teacher guidance

Biochemistry and molecular biology in health science education: A parallel session at the IUBMB/PSBMB 2019 “Harnessing Interdisciplinary Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” conference

© 2020 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology In many health-related programs biochemistry and molecular biology are core subjects, but these subjects are often not the students main focus. This challenges educators to develop curriculum that demonstrates the relevance of biochemistry and molecular biology and engages these students. This conference session discussed the value of biochemistry and molecular biology education in the health sciences and the methodologies which can be implemented

P2X7 receptor activation causes phosphatidylserine exposure in canine erythrocytes

AIM To determine if activation of the ATP-gated P2X7 receptor channel induces phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure in erythrocytes from multiple dog breeds. METHODS Peripheral blood was collected from 25 dogs representing 13 pedigrees and seven crossbreeds. ATP-induced PS exposure on canine erythrocytes in vitro was assessed using a flow cytometric Annexin V binding assay. RESULTS ATP induced PS exposure in erythrocytes from all dogs studied. ATP caused PS exposure in a concentrationdependent manner with an EC50 value of 395 μmol/L. The non-P2X7 agonists, ADP or AMP, did not cause PS exposure. The P2X7 antagonist, AZ10606120, but not the P2X1 antagonist, NF449, blocked ATP-induced PS exposure. CONCLUSION The results indicate that ATP induces PS exposure in erythrocytes from various dog breeds and that this process is mediated by P2X7 activation

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae surface proteins Mhp385 and Mhp384 bind host cilia and glycosaminoglycans and are endoproteolytically processed by proteases that recognize different cleavage motifs

P97 and P102 paralogues occur as endoproteolytic cleavage fragments on the surface of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae that bind glycosaminoglycans, plasminogen, and fibronectin and perform essential roles in colonization of ciliated epithelia. We show that the P102 paralogue Mhp384 is efficiently cleaved at an S/T-X-F down arrow X-D/E-like site, creating P60(384) and P50(384). The P97 paralogue Mhp385 is inefficiently cleaved, with tryptic peptides from a 115 kDa protein (P115(385)) and 88 kDa (P88(385)) and 27 kDa (P27(385)) cleavage fragments identified by LC-MS/MS. This is the first time a preprotein belonging to the P97 and P102 paralogue families has been identified by mass spectrometry. The semitryptic peptide (752)IQFELEPISLNV(763) denotes the C-terminus of P88(385) and defines the novel cleavage site L-761-N-V down arrow A-V-S-766 in Mhp385. P115(385), P88(385), P27(385), P60(384), and P50(384) were shown to reside extracellularly, though it is unknown how the fragments remain attached to the cell surface. Heparin- and cilium-binding sites were identified within P60(384), P50(384), and P88(385). No primary function was attributed to P27(385); however, this molecule contains four tandem R1 repeats with similarity to porcine collagen type VI (alpha 3 chain). P97 and P102 paralogue families are adhesins targeted by several proteases with different cleavage efficiencies, and this process generates combinatorial complexity on the surface of M. hyopneumoniae

<i>Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae</i> Surface Proteins Mhp385 and Mhp384 Bind Host Cilia and Glycosaminoglycans and Are Endoproteolytically Processed by Proteases That Recognize Different Cleavage Motifs

P97 and P102 paralogues occur as endoproteolytic cleavage fragments on the surface of <i>Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae</i> that bind glycosaminoglycans, plasminogen, and fibronectin and perform essential roles in colonization of ciliated epithelia. We show that the P102 paralogue Mhp384 is efficiently cleaved at an S/T-X-F↓X-D/E-like site, creating P60₃₈₄ and P50₃₈₄. The P97 paralogue Mhp385 is inefficiently cleaved, with tryptic peptides from a 115 kDa protein (P115₃₈₅) and 88 kDa (P88₃₈₅) and 27 kDa (P27₃₈₅) cleavage fragments identified by LC–MS/MS. This is the first time a preprotein belonging to the P97 and P102 paralogue families has been identified by mass spectrometry. The semitryptic peptide ⁷⁵²IQFELEPISLNV⁷⁶³ denotes the C-terminus of P88₃₈₅ and defines the novel cleavage site ⁷⁶¹L-N-V↓A-V-S⁷⁶⁶ in Mhp385. P115₃₈₅, P88₃₈₅, P27₃₈₅, P60₃₈₄, and P50₃₈₄ were shown to reside extracellularly, though it is unknown how the fragments remain attached to the cell surface. Heparin- and cilium-binding sites were identified within P60₃₈₄, P50₃₈₄, and P88₃₈₅. No primary function was attributed to P27₃₈₅; however, this molecule contains four tandem R1 repeats with similarity to porcine collagen type VI (α3 chain). P97 and P102 paralogue families are adhesins targeted by several proteases with different cleavage efficiencies, and this process generates combinatorial complexity on the surface of <i>M. hyopneumoniae</i>

Evaluation of recombinant Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae P97/P102 paralogs formulated with selected adjuvants as vaccines against mycoplasmal pneumonia in pigs

Pig responses to recombinant subunit vaccines containing fragments of eight multifunctional adhesins of the Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp) P97/P102 paralog family formulated with Alhydrogel® or Montanide™ Gel01 were compared with a commercial bacterin following experimental challenge. Pigs, vaccinated intramuscularly at 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age with either of the recombinant formulations (n=10 per group) or Suvaxyn® M. hyo (n=12), were challenged with Mhp strain Hillcrest at 17 weeks of age. Unvaccinated, challenged pigs (n=12) served as a control group. Coughing was assessed daily. Antigen-specific antibody responses were monitored by ELISA in serum and tracheobronchial lavage fluid (TBLF), while TBLF was also assayed for cytokine responses (ELISA) and bacterial load (qPCR). At slaughter, gross and histopathology of lungs were quantified and damage to epithelial cilia in the porcine trachea was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Suvaxyn® M. hyo administration induced significant serological responses against Mhp strain 232 whole cell lysates (wcl) and recombinant antigen F3P216, but not against the remaining vaccine subunit antigens. Alhydrogel® and Montanide™ Gel01-adjuvanted antigen induced significant antigen-specific IgG responses, with the latter adjuvant eliciting comparable Mhp strain 232 wcl specific IgG responses to Suvaxyn® M. hyo. No significant post-vaccination antigen-specific mucosal responses were detected with the recombinant vaccinates. Suvaxyn® M. hyo was superior in reducing clinical signs, lung lesion severity and bacterial load but the recombinant formulations offered comparable protection against cilial damage. Lower IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 responses after challenge were associated with reduced lung lesion severity in Suvaxyn® M. hyo vaccinates, while elevated pathology scores in recombinant vaccinates corresponded to cytokine levels that were similarly elevated as in unvaccinated pigs. This study highlights the need for continued research into protective antigens and vaccination strategies that will prevent Mhp colonisation and establishment of infection. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd