Research-based interdisciplinary

skills across the curriculum

ASM Meeting 2009

Rupa Iyer PhD

Director of Biotechnology Programs

Director of Center for Life Sciences Technology

University of Houston

Academic Program

► 4- year interdisciplinary major leading to a B. S. degree

► Collaboration with Industry and Academic Partners

► Two tracks, Bioprocessing and Bioinformatics.

Laboratory Curriculum

► Designing new laboratory modules

► In collaboration with Melinda Wales, Ph.D. Reactive Surfaces and Texas A & M

Laboratory Curriculum

► Project Based

► Modular

► Model for interdisciplinary programs

Project - Based

► Soil bacterium Pseudomonas dimutins

► Plasmid encoded gene responsible for degradation of organophosphorous compounds (OP)

► OP gene identified, cloned, expressed and the upstream and downstream processes of protein production characterized.

► Applications in Environmental Biotechnology

IRBC

Module I :Environmental Sampling and Enumeration

► Sample Collection

Isolation and Characterization of Isolates

Obtain soil samples and isolate OP hydrolyzing colonies on primary culture plates.

Pesticide ( paraoxon , parathion ) used as sole sources of C, S, P

Module II: Remediation of Organophosphorous (OP) Compounds

► Cloning of the gene encoding organophosphorous hydrolases (opd)

Plasmid Isolation Restriction Digest Ligation and Transformation Enzymatic Assay of OPH

Module III: Bioprocessing

Good Manufacturing Practices

► Cell Growth► Bioreactors► Upstream Processing► Downstream Processing► Introduction to Nanotechnology

Beta Testing

► Module I and II

Brigham Young Hawaii – Fall 2007 UH - Research Experience for

Undergraduates, Summer 2008 Fall UH BTEC 3100 , Research Methods

and applications

Beta Testing

► Module III

BTEC 4398 Special topics in Bioprocessing Students develop parameters such as temperature, pH, and aeration for optimal bacterial growth in bioreactors.

Generate data when they manipulate that specific parameter.

They will share and interpret their data to propose optimal growth conditions for their bacterial culture.

Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment ► Research Paper► Lab Note Book► Quizzes

Evaluation

► Student assessment of learning gains

Research Experience

► Field Activity: Module I

Students collect soil samples Test for the presence of oph activity Location of oph activity Analyze data

► Collaborations: students test for the presence of oph (and pesticide contamination ) activity

Linking Research Experiences

► Electronic Lab Notebook

Student upload their own data Compare data with one another Submit a research paper Based on popular open source package (Drupal)