Both nationwide and in our department, more students seek research experience than can easily be accommodated through mentored independent research. By embedding a genuine research experience as part of a credited course, departments can provide broader and more equitable access to research training. At Willamette University, we offer an integrated lab series that spans students’ 6th and 7th semesters in the program. For students in our B.S. track, the second semester is taken concurrently with the start of a year-long senior thesis program; for students in the B.A. track, the second semester functions as their capstone experience. In this talk, we will present one of the projects we have developed to provide a genuine research experience aimed at scaffolding our B.S. students from laboratory courses to research, while providing a stand-alone research experience for our B.A. students. In this project, students work in small groups to select a disease of interest and use the literature to find a micro-RNA biomarker known to be associated with the disease. Next, students design sensors based on DNA strand exchange that will yield a fluorescent signal in the presence of their target micro-RNA. Finally, students characterize their sensor and evaluate its function based on a research question the students develop. We have taught the micro-RNA sensor project in both half-semester and full-semester formats. The goals of the project are to increase both students’ comfort in a research environment and their confidence in their ability to perform research. We are assessing the project via pre- and post-lab surveys examining impacts of the lab on students’ self-reported efficacy and comfort with respect to designing research questions, experimental design, experimental planning, finding and applying relevant literature to a research project, and scientific writing. Initial results show modest improvements in both self-reported abilities and comfort in a research-like setting.

micro-RNA sensor design: A course-based undergraduate research experience

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.