@article{goller_ott_2020, title={Evolution of an 8‐week upper‐division metagenomics course: Diagramming a learning path from observational to quantitative microbiome analysis}, volume={48}, ISBN={1539-3429}, ISSN={1470-8175 1539-3429}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21349}, DOI={10.1002/bmb.21349}, abstractNote={Metagenomics is a tool that enables researchers to study genetic material recovered directly from microbial communities or microbiomes. Fueled by advances in sequencing technologies, bioinformatics tools, and sample processing, metagenomics studies promise to expand our understanding of human health and the use of microorganisms for agriculture and industry. Therefore, teaching students about metagenomics is crucial to prepare them for modern careers in the life sciences. However, the increasing number of different approaches makes teaching metagenomics to students a challenge. This 8‐week metagenomics laboratory course has the objective of introducing upper‐level undergraduate and graduate students to strategies for designing, executing, and analyzing microbiome investigations. The laboratory component begins with sample processing, library preparation, and submission for high‐throughput sequencing before transitioning to computer‐based activities, which include an introduction to several fundamental computational metagenomics tools. Students analyze their sequencing results and deposit findings in sequence databases. The laboratory component is complemented by a weekly lecture, where active learning sessions promote retrieval practice and allow students to reflect on and diagram processes performed in the laboratory. Attainment of student learning outcomes was assessed through the completion of various course assignments: laboratory reports, presentations, and a cumulative final exam. Further, students' perceptions of their gains relevant to the learning outcomes were evaluated using pre‐ and postcourse surveys. Collectively, these data demonstrate that this course results in the attainment of the learning outcomes and that this approach provides an adaptable way to expose students to the cutting‐edge field of metagenomics.}, number={4}, journal={Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Goller, Carlos C. and Ott, Laura E.}, year={2020}, month={Apr}, pages={391–403} }
 @article{ott_carson_2014, title={Immunological Tools: Engaging Students in the Use and Analysis of Flow Cytometry and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)}, volume={42}, ISSN={["1539-3429"]}, DOI={10.1002/bmb.20808}, abstractNote={Flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are commonly used techniques associated with clinical and research applications within the immunology and medical fields. The use of these techniques is becoming increasingly valuable in many life science and engineering disciplines as well. Herein, we report the development and evaluation of a novel half‐semester course that focused on introducing undergraduate and graduate students to advance conceptual and technical skills associated with flow cytometry and ELISA, with emphasis on applications, experimental design, and data analysis. This course was offered in the North Carolina State University Biotechnology Program over three semesters and consisted of weekly lectures and laboratories. Students performed and/or analyzed flow cytometry and ELISA in three separate laboratory exercises: (1) identification of transgenic zebrafish hematopoietic cells, (2) analysis of transfection efficiency, and (3) analysis of cytokine production upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Student learning outcomes were achieved as demonstrated by multiple means of assessment, including three laboratory reports, a data analysis laboratory practicum, and a cumulative final exam. Further, anonymous student self‐assessment revealed increased student confidence in the knowledge and skill sets defined in the learning outcomes. © 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(5):382–397, 2014.}, number={5}, journal={BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION}, author={Ott, Laura E. and Carson, Susan}, year={2014}, pages={382–397} }
 @article{ott_sung_melvin_sheats_haugh_adler_jones_2013, title={Fibroblast Migration Is Regulated by Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C-Kinase Substrate (MARCKS) Protein}, volume={8}, ISSN={["1932-6203"]}, url={http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/23840497}, DOI={10.1371/journal.pone.0066512}, abstractNote={Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a ubiquitously expressed substrate of protein kinase C (PKC) that is involved in reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. We hypothesized that MARCKS is involved in regulation of fibroblast migration and addressed this hypothesis by utilizing a unique reagent developed in this laboratory, the MANS peptide. The MANS peptide is a myristoylated cell permeable peptide corresponding to the first 24-amino acids of MARCKS that inhibits MARCKS function. Treatment of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts with the MANS peptide attenuated cell migration in scratch wounding assays, while a myristoylated, missense control peptide (RNS) had no effect. Neither MANS nor RNS peptide treatment altered NIH-3T3 cell proliferation within the parameters of the scratch assay. MANS peptide treatment also resulted in inhibited NIH-3T3 chemotaxis towards the chemoattractant platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), with no effect observed with RNS treatment. Live cell imaging of PDGF-BB induced chemotaxis demonstrated that MANS peptide treatment resulted in weak chemotactic fidelity compared to RNS treated cells. MANS and RNS peptides did not affect PDGF-BB induced phosphorylation of MARCKS or phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling, as measured by Akt phosphorylation. Further, no difference in cell migration was observed in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts that were transfected with MARCKS siRNAs with or without MANS peptide treatment. Genetic structure-function analysis revealed that MANS peptide-mediated attenuation of NIH-3T3 cell migration does not require the presence of the myristic acid moiety on the amino-terminus. Expression of either MANS or unmyristoylated MANS (UMANS) C-terminal EGFP fusion proteins resulted in similar levels of attenuated cell migration as observed with MANS peptide treatment. These data demonstrate that MARCKS regulates cell migration and suggests that MARCKS-mediated regulation of fibroblast migration involves the MARCKS amino-terminus. Further, this data demonstrates that MANS peptide treatment inhibits MARCKS function during fibroblast migration and that MANS mediated inhibition occurs independent of myristoylation.}, number={6}, journal={PLOS ONE}, publisher={Public Library of Science (PLoS)}, author={Ott, Laura E. and Sung, Eui Jae and Melvin, Adam T. and Sheats, Mary K. and Haugh, Jason M. and Adler, Kenneth B. and Jones, Samuel L.}, editor={Aspenstrom, PontusEditor}, year={2013}, month={Jun} }