Students new to the discipline of biochemistry are often unaware of the breadth of the subject and the many different types of research biochemists perform. This presentation introduces a discussion-based course designed to answer the questions on the minds of many students interested in the field: What is Biochemistry and what do Biochemists do? The RNA-based vaccines that mitigate the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus provide a timely and relevant framework for an introduction to biochemistry due to their basis in the fundamental aspects of the field and robust discussion surrounding them. The science of the vaccines was applied as an educational tool based on the role of three critical macromolecules (nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins) in the production, delivery, and function of the vaccines. The theme of the course was the foundational chemistry of the vaccines, including their delivery using lipid nanoparticles and production of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein via translation of its mRNA. Related topics such as the Coronavirus structure, the molecular basis for antibody recognition of the Spike protein, and the nature of the SARS-CoV-2 variants were also presented in the context of vaccine function. Students taking the course were introduced to relevant publications in the literature and provided instruction on data interpretation and critical analysis. One student learning outcome was that students described the vaccine components and their roles to a non-science audience. Students were assessed through presentation of a scientific article to the class, production of a video/webinar that describes the biochemical science behind the vaccines, and by writing a reflection on their attitudes towards the vaccine before and after taking the course.

Biochemistry of the mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines: A contextual approach to introducing biochemistry to high school, first-year, and second-year college students

ACS Spring 2022

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