This research focuses on assessing the experience of undergraduate students after performing a research experiment in a laboratory setting. The experiment utilized the properties of glutathione-protected gold nanoparticles (MPCs) to synthesize hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3OH; HAP), the main mineral involved in the formation of bones and teeth. Experiments have shown that the use of MPCs in conjunction with calcium chloride and sodium phosphate solutions accelerate the formation of HAP. Through the use a spectrophotometer, precipitate was detected within the first few minutes of the reaction and shows more precipitate is formed when using the nanoparticle template than the control. The undergraduate students were given a lab protocol to compare a controlled experiment of the formation of HAP to one using MPCs as templates and another using a polymer as a temple. Students analyzed the reactions using real-time analysis as well as end-point analysis to determine the effects on the formation of HAP using different templates. The student's data was collected for further analysis and a survey was completed by each student that preformed the research experiment to assess their experience. Many students articulated great satisfaction with the research experience and expressed interest in further implementation of research based laboratories in the future.

Calcium phosphate mineralization using nanoparticle templates as a research lab for undergraduate students

247th National Meeting (2014)

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