You are here: Home / Resources / Browse Resources

Open. Adaptable. Free.

Resources created by our members and partners.

The QUBES platform hosts hundreds of teaching materials, reference materials, and cloud-based software free to use and adapt using open Creative Commons licenses.

Text Search:
Applied Filters
    Serotonin in the Pocket: Non-covalent interactions and neurotransmitter binding
    This lesson introduces beginning biochemistry students to the concept of a biomolecule binding site, such as a neurotransmitter receptor site or an enzyme active site. A simple organic molecule,...

    Keywords: active sitebindingbinding sitehydrogen bondinghydrophobic effectionic interactionsnon-covalent forces

    2703

    views

    325

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Understanding Protein Domains: A Modular Approach
    An understanding of protein structure, function, and interaction is central to biochemistry. One angle into this topic is to engage students in considering protein domains as modules that develop...

    Keywords: Protein Structure

    1397

    views

    309

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring Marine Primary Productivity with Descriptive Statistics and Graphing in Excel
    In this activity, students use real water chemistry data and descriptive statistics in Excel to examine primary productivity in an urban estuary of the Salish Sea. They will consider how actual...

    Keywords: statisticsecologydataExcelgraphingBiochemistryOceanographymarine ecosystemsmarine ecologydescriptive statisticslong-term datasetsmarineMicrosoft Excelmarine biologyplanktonOutliersMarine ScienceqbccUsing ExcelphytoplanktonCreate graphsInterpret graphsConcepts in Statisticslarge datasetexplaining statisticsusing statisticsPacific NorthwestSalish Seaprimary productivitywater chemistryestuarygraphing in Excelformulas in Excelchlorophylltime-series plotsocean

    468

    views

    602

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Fragile States: A Case Study Exploring Genetics, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry Through the Lens of Fragile X Syndrome
    This case aims to strengthen students’ understanding of molecular biology concepts through study of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Students begin by learning the cause and phenotypes of FXS and...

    Keywords: gene regulationtranscriptiontranslationFragile X syndrometriplet repeat expansionsex linkagemetabolic pathway

    3411

    views

    199

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Follow the Sulfur: Using Yeast Mutants to Study a Metabolic Pathway
    Students are frequently overwhelmed by the complexity of metabolic pathways and they think they have "learned" the pathway when they have memorized the individual reactions.  This...

    Keywords: SelectionyeastMetabolismcysteinemediamethioninemutantPathwaysulfur

    2366

    views

    578

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Using Open-Source Bioinformatics and Visualization Tools to Explore the Structure and Function of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein
    The relationship between protein structure and function is a foundational concept in undergraduate biochemistry. We find this theme is best presented with assignments that encourage exploration and...

    Keywords: bioinformaticsmolecular modelingCOVID19protein structure and functionUCSF ChimeraSARS-CoV-2 spike proteinACE2 receptor

    3540

    views

    380

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Tackling "Big Data" with Biology Undergrads: A Simple RNA-seq Data Analysis Tutorial Using Galaxy
    Analyzing high-throughput DNA sequence data is a fundamental skill in modern biology. However, real and perceived barriers such as massive file sizes, substantial computational requirements, and...

    Keywords: bioinformaticsDNA sequenceRNAseqgene expression

    4685

    views

    869

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    It's a Substrate... It's a Protein...No - It's an Enzyme! Teaching Using 3D Serine Protease Physical Modeling Activities to Confront Misconceptions.
    Reported misconceptions of enzyme-substrate interactions highlight the necessity for better, targeted instructional tools and assessments. A series of active learning activities with corresponding...

    Keywords: Protein StructureEnzymes-Substrate InteractionsNoncovalent InteractionsGeometric ComplementaryElectronicsStereochemistrySerine Proteases

    2836

    views

    362

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Sequences and Properties of Gluten Proteins From Different Grains: A Virtual-Friendly Protein Laboratory
    The COVID-19 pandemic has forced much university instruction into virtual modes. As a result, many laboratory courses have either dropped content altogether or replaced hands-on activities with...

    Keywords: protein structure and functionProtein sequenceintermolecular forcesBiomacromolecules

    2111

    views

    187

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring Marine Primary Productivity with Descriptive Statistics and Graphing in Excel
    In this activity, students use real water chemistry data and descriptive statistics in Excel to examine primary productivity in an urban estuary of the Salish Sea. They will consider how actual...

    Keywords: statisticsecologydataExcelgraphingBiochemistryOceanographymarine ecosystemsmarine ecologydescriptive statisticslong-term datasetsmarineMicrosoft Excelmarine biologyplanktonOutliersMarine ScienceqbccUsing ExcelphytoplanktonCreate graphsInterpret graphsConcepts in Statisticslarge datasetexplaining statisticsusing statisticsPacific NorthwestSalish Seaprimary productivitywater chemistryestuarygraphing in Excelformulas in Excelchlorophylltime-series plotsocean

    1216

    views

    1182

    downloads

    0

    comments

    1

    adaptations

    Evaluating the Quick Fix: Weight Loss Drugs and Cellular Respiration
    One key to student success in introductory and cell biology courses is a foundational knowledge of cellular respiration. This is a content area in which students often harbor misconceptions that...

    Keywords: data analysisCellular RespirationElectron Transport ChainEnergy transformationsMitochondriaOxidative phosphorylationWeight loss drugs24-dinitrophenol (DNP)

    3741

    views

    1238

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A Simple Method for Predicting a Molecule's Biological Properties From Its Polarity
    The distinction between very polar and less polar substances is a foundation of biochemistry, cell biology, and physiology; it surfaces in multiple concept inventories and elaborations of...

    Keywords: Diffusionsolubilitycovalent bondshydrophilichydrophobicpartition coefficientplasma membranepolarity

    1715

    views

    438

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Garden Variety Mutations: Using Primary Data to Understand the Central Dogma in Large-Lecture Introductory Biology
    The ability to interpret and create an argument from data is a crucial skill for budding scientists, yet one that is seldom practiced in introductory courses. During this argumentation module,...

    Keywords: mutationtranscriptiongene expressioncentral dogmatranslationgel electrophoresisGenotype/Phenotype

    3210

    views

    217

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Single Cell Insights Into Cancer Transcriptomes: A Five-Part Single-Cell RNAseq Case Study Lesson
    There is a growing need for integration of “Big Data” into undergraduate biology curricula. Transcriptomics is one venue to examine biology from an informatics perspective. RNA sequencing has...

    Keywords: bioinformaticscancertranscriptomicshigh-throughputData wranglingSingle cell RNA sequencingq

    6309

    views

    1579

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Effect of the Intestinal Protein Snakeskin on the Lifespan of Fruit Flies: A Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysissource Draft (1)
    In this activity, students perform the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis on raw data obtained from an experiment that explores the effect of overexpressing the Snakeskin (Ssk) protein on the lifespan...

    Keywords: graphingBiochemistryhypothesis testingcalculus and biologyapproximating areas under curvesqbccCellular and Molecular BiologyCreate graphsInterpret graphsSolving Equations and Inequalitiesinterpret tablesConcepts in Statisticsusing statisticschi-square analysissurvival analysis

    1359

    views

    167

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring Miracle Fruit: An Undergraduate Laboratory Exercise on Experimental Design
    In recent years, undergraduate biology and biochemistry curricula have seen an increase in the use of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). CUREs maximize potential student gains...

    Keywords: sensory systemspHProtein shapeTaste

    2308

    views

    434

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    A Team-Based Approach to Course Development Involving Undergraduate Researchers
    Development of an undergraduate laboratory course can be a challenge, because of the need to balance both logistical and pedagogical considerations. We piloted a team-based approach to developing...

    Keywords: student researchcourse development

    718

    views

    117

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Exploring Microbial Diversity: An Interactive In-Class Assignment for Biology and Microbiology Courses
    This interactive assignment engages students in a hands-on exploration of microbial diversity and the importance of microbes in ecosystems. Designed for General Biology II and Introduction to...

    Keywords: Microbiology EducationMicrobial DiversitymicrobiologyEcological Society of Americaecology educationresearch-based classroom instruction4DEE Framework

    104

    views

    26

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    The Great Petunia Carnage of 2017: A Clicker Case Study Using Petunias to Describe the Effect of Genetic Modification on the Biochemistry of Flower Color and Phenotype in Plants
    In this single class period case study, students examine the difference between genotype and phenotype by studying the mechanisms by which commercially available petunias have been bred to have...

    Keywords: case studyGenetic ModificationsBiochemistry of Flower ColorGMO regulationsGenotype-Phenotype Connections

    1003

    views

    9

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Taking the Hassle out of Hasselbalch
    Mention pH in a classroom and you can almost see the inner yawn on the faces of your students. The definition may even roll easily from their lips. However, despite multiple exposures to the...

    Keywords: pHdrug uptakeHenderson-Hasslbalch equationmedical applicationspKa

    1487

    views

    354

    downloads

    0

    comments

    0

    adaptations

    Close

    Home

    Search