An idea to explore: How an interdisciplinary undergraduate course exploring a global health challenge in molecular detail enabled science communication and collaboration in diverse audiences

Journal Article · Sat Dec 10 04:00:00 EST 2022 · Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21699· OSTI ID:1903045

Dutta, Shuchismita ^[1]; Jiang, Jennifer ^[2]; Ghosh, Sutapa ^[3]; Patel, Shriya ^[4]; Bhikadiya, Charmi ^[3]; Lowe, Robert ^[3]; Voigt, Maria ^[3]; Goodsell, David ^[5]; Zardecki, Christine ^[6]; Burley, Stephen K. ^[7]

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1. Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine Rutgers University New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Cancer Institute of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA
2. Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine Rutgers University New Brunswick New Jersey USA
3. Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA
4. Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine Stratford New Jersey USA
5. Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine Rutgers University New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Cancer Institute of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology The Scripps Research Institute San Diego California USA
6. Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine Rutgers University New Brunswick New Jersey USA
7. Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine Rutgers University New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Cancer Institute of New Jersey New Brunswick New Jersey USA, Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank, San Diego Supercomputer Center University of California San Diego San Diego California USA

Abstract

Communication and collaboration are key science competencies that support sharing of scientific knowledge with experts and non‐experts alike. On the one hand, they facilitate interdisciplinary conversations between students, educators, and researchers, while on the other they improve public awareness, enable informed choices, and impact policy decisions. Herein, we describe an interdisciplinary undergraduate course focused on using data from various bioinformatics data resources to explore the molecular underpinnings of diabetes mellitus (Types 1 and 2) and introducing students to science communication. Building on course materials and original student‐generated artifacts, a series of collaborative activities engaged students, educators, researchers, healthcare professionals and community members in exploring, learning about, and discussing the molecular bases of diabetes. These collaborations generated novel educational materials and approaches to learning and presenting complex ideas about major global health challenges in formats accessible to diverse audiences.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0019749
• OSTI ID: 1903045
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 2421362; OSTI ID: 2472799; OSTI ID: 1903046
• Journal Information: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Journal Name: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 51; ISSN 1470-8175
• Publisher: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
• Country of Publication: Netherlands
• Language: English