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#1912, v1.0 Published:
#2424, v1.0 Published:

Title

Old VersionNew Version
1COVID-19: Molecular Basis of Infection 1COVID-19: Molecular Basis Infection Revisited One Year into the Pandemic

Authors

Old VersionNew Version
1Didem Vardar-Ulu (Boston University) 1Didem Vardar-Ulu ()
2Shuchismita Dutta () 2Didem Vardar-Ulu ()
3Shuchismita Dutta ()   

Description

Old VersionNew Version
1<p><a href="https://molecular-casenet.rcsb.org/node/23">COVID-19: Molecular Basis of Infection</a></p>  1<p><em>Overview</em>: This case is an adaptation of the original COVID-19: Molecular Basis of Infection case which discusses how the SARS-Cov-2 Spike protein binds to Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a protein found on the surface of many human cells initiating infections.&nbsp; The adaptation was designed to be used as a self-guided worksheet to be completed individually prior to class time dedicated for an in depth conversation of many different aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic at the end of the semester during which students had multiple opportunities to familiarize themselves with molecular case studies and develop the structural exploration skills that are listed as the learning objectives of the original case. In addition to focusing on understanding the structure and interaction of the SARS-Cov-2 viral spike protein that facilitates infection in human cells, it also introduces the students to the different variants that have evolved during this time and encourages the students to apply their molecular understanding to assess the impact of emerging mutations on the evolution of the virus.</p>
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3<p><em>Overview</em>: This case discusses how the SARS-Cov-2 Spike protein binds to Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a protein found on the surface of many human cells initiating infections. After reviewing some introductory materials about coronavirus life cycle, the case begins with watching a video that introduces the structures of the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein, human ACE2 protein, and their complex. By comparing sequences and structures of the spike protein from SARS-Cov2 and SARS-Cov, the virus that caused the epidemic in 2002-2003 some insights are available for why the new virus&nbsp; has caused a pandemic. Understanding the molecular details of the infection process also helps design therapies and vaccines that can be used to treat and prevent COVID-19.</p>  3<p><em>Learning Objectives</em>:</p>
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5<p><em>Learning Objectives</em>: The case was developed at the interface of biology and chemistry to explore SARS-Cov-2 attachment on human cells and infection. It introduces students to various bioinformatics tools and approaches used for comparing protein structures and vaccine development. By the end of the case, students should develop some basic understanding of biomolecular structure-function relationships and how that can impact infection and disease.</p>  5<p>In addition to the original learning objectives, after completing this adaptation the students should become self-sufficient and proficient in:</p>
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   7<ul>
   8   <li>reading and interpreting current scientific news on COVID-19 and its variants through the use of further molecular exploration using the available structural data in the protein data bank.</li>
   9   <li>describing how viral variants are named and why certain variants are considered concerning while others are not.</li>
   10   <li>explaining how antibodies and vaccines work</li>
   11</ul>
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7<p><em>Molecules explored</em>: The key molecules explored here include the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein, human ACE2 protein, and the structure of their complex. Structures of SARS-Cov-2 spike protein with antibodies are also explored.</p>  13<p><em>Molecules explored</em>: The key molecules explored here include the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein, human ACE2 protein, and the structure of their complex. Structures of SARS-Cov-2 spike protein with antibodies are also explored.</p>  
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9<p><em>Implementation</em>: The case can be implemented using either a flipped approach and/or in-class discussions.</p> 9<p><em>Implementation</em>: The case was implemented as a flipped self-guided worksheet.</p>

Attachments

1 link — COVID-19: Molecular Basis of Infection 1 file — Vardar-Ulu-COVID-19:MolecularBasisInfectionRevisitedOneYearintothePandemic/COVID-19 Molecular Basis Infection Revisited One Year into the Pandemic.docx
2 file — 6M0J.png 2 file — Vardar-Ulu-COVID-19:MolecularBasisInfectionRevisitedOneYearintothePandemic/Supplementary Student Progress Key.docx
3 file — Vardar-Ulu-COVID-19:MolecularBasisInfectionRevisitedOneYearintothePandemic/Supplementary TopHat Questions.docx
4 link — COVID-19: Molecular Basis of Infection
5 file — Vardar-Ulu-COVID-19:MolecularBasisInfectionRevisitedOneYearintothePandemic/Covid strains.JPG