A set of molecular case studies have been selected for discussion and implementation for this Faculty Mentoring Network (FMN) in the Spring 2021 semester. These cases cover a range of topics in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, botany etc. so please select the one that best fits your course curriculum. Brief descriptions of these cases are included below.
Participating faculty will first be introduced to these cases and all the tools/resources necessary to run the cases. This will ensure that faculty who are new to the disciplinary contents and skills/tools needed for molecular structure-function discussions have the opportunity to read, learn, and prepare. Following this, participants will have the choice to take one of two paths - a. adopt, adapt, and implement at least one of these six cases in their classrooms and provide feedback about this experience; or b. collaborate with others to develop a new case for the Molecular CaseNet on a topic/story that they are familiar with.
Shuchismita Dutta, Kimberly Linenberger Cortes, Henry Vincent Jakubowski, Melanie Lenahan, David Marcey, Pat Marsteller, Cassidy Terrell
Version: 1.0
This 3 part case on sickle cell disease focuses on visualizing and understanding the molecular basis of its cause, symptoms, complications, management, treatment, and possible cures.
This case, about a specific mutant of hemoglobin, focuses on visualizing and understanding the molecular basis of why an infant turned blue soon after birth and how the cyanosis resolved on its own in a few months.
This case focuses on understanding structure and function relationships in Piwi, a protein that is critical for germline stem cell function and development of eggs in the fruit fly ovary.
This case was written in Spring 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It focuses on understanding the structure and interaction of the SARS-Cov-2 viral spike protein that facilitates infection in human cells.
Keith Johnson, Didem Vardar-Ulu, Shuchismita Dutta
Version: 1.0
This multi-part case study introduces the reader to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, replication, and treatment. Additional worksheets introduce students to bioinformatics tools of 3-D protein visualization and BLAST searches.