María Isabel Galindo, Laura Lucia Luna, Paola Gómez Buitrago, Danny Arteaga
{"title":"Carb Detective: Developing a Compelling Board Game to Learn About the Classification of Monosaccharides","authors":"María Isabel Galindo, Laura Lucia Luna, Paola Gómez Buitrago, Danny Arteaga","doi":"10.1002/bmb.70032","DOIUrl":"10.1002/bmb.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The development of active learning strategies that position students as the main agents in generating their own knowledge has gained significant momentum in recent years. In particular, serious games have emerged as effective pedagogical tools in chemistry and related subjects. These games actively engage students with the material, increasing their interest and commitment to learning. Herein, we discuss the creation of a pedagogical board game and its implementation in the biochemistry class, as a playful tool for learning carbohydrates specifically monosaccharides. “Carb Detective” was designed to include the essential elements needed to create engaging and enjoyable learning experiences. It was tested with 89 students aged 18–20 years old who were enrolled in general biochemistry courses. The results of this quasi-experimental educational intervention indicated that the game enabled students to learn several key concepts, including the classification of monosaccharides based on their functional groups, configuration, and the number of carbon atoms. Furthermore, students gained exposure to identify epimers and anomeric carbons, while also studying their stereochemistry, which enhanced their ability to apply these concepts in practical contexts. The findings also suggest that the game promoted competence, motivated students, and improved their understanding of the topic. It provided immediate feedback on “yes” or “no” questions, helping students to correct errors and gain a deeper understanding of the material.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8830,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education","volume":"54 1","pages":"76-84"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145987847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhancing Biochemistry Assessment Quality in Medical Education Through Item Response Theory (IRT)","authors":"Baharuddin Baharuddin, Lilies Handayani, Rusli Rusli","doi":"10.1002/bmb.70021","DOIUrl":"10.1002/bmb.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In medical education, particularly in biochemistry, crafting high-quality assessment questions is a primary challenge. Each item necessitates a thorough evaluation, for the identification of student abilities is crucial. This study aims to enhance assessment quality in biochemistry medical education by implementing Item Response Theory (IRT). This approach addresses Classical Test Theory (CTT) limitations, specializing in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ). Recognizing the critical role of question quality in the learning process, the study investigates how IRT can more holistically and equitably assess student abilities. Employing a mixed-method research approach, this study combines comparative quantitative analysis with qualitative ICC curve analysis in the first exam to the second exam in presenting the theta (θ) value. It focuses on routine biochemistry exam data scores from medical students (<i>n</i> = 89). Significant improvements were observed in both question quality and student scores. Prior to IRT implementation, the average initial exam score was 56.1, which increased to 74.1 in the subsequent exam. The IRT evaluation indicated that the exam questions achieved a more effective differentiation between students of varying abilities. This improvement was evident from the increased person reliability and through Wright Map visualizations, which helped identify highly difficult questions via the Item Characteristic Curve (ICC). The study advocates for integrating IRT as a standard method in biochemistry and medical assessments and identifies the students' gaps in ability.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8830,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education","volume":"54 1","pages":"9-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145538906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oliver Osborne, Siobhan Clennell, Shaun K. Bremner-Hart
{"title":"3D-Printed Protein Models as an Educational Tool in Biochemistry Outreach","authors":"Oliver Osborne, Siobhan Clennell, Shaun K. Bremner-Hart","doi":"10.1002/bmb.70030","DOIUrl":"10.1002/bmb.70030","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The abstract and complex nature of molecular biology often presents significant challenges for students at all levels of study. Traditional teaching methods, such as the use of 2D diagrams, may not fully convey the intricacies of these topics, leading to difficulties in comprehension and engagement. This study aimed to introduce 3D-printed and virtual protein models into a secondary school classroom to enhance students' understanding of protein structure. 3D models were designed using ChimeraX and were either 3D printed or hosted online as interactive virtual models. A PowerPoint presentation was used to introduce the concept of protein structure in a didactic manner. Next, students answered questions on worksheets using the protein models. These worksheets promoted inquiry-based and self-directed learning through research-guided questions and challenges. Feedback revealed that students found the workshop innovative and engaging. All participants indicated that the 3D-printed models enhanced their understanding of protein structure and expressed interest in future hands-on workshops. These findings highlight the potential of modern, model-based teaching approaches to improve comprehension of protein folding and structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":8830,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education","volume":"54 1","pages":"59-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/bmb.70030","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146017266","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dalpiaz Giovana, Krohn Muriel Schiling, Groehs Eduarda, Anjos André da Silva, Meireles R. Mariana
{"title":"Chimera X Interface to Enhance Understanding in Biochemistry and Immunology","authors":"Dalpiaz Giovana, Krohn Muriel Schiling, Groehs Eduarda, Anjos André da Silva, Meireles R. Mariana","doi":"10.1002/bmb.70025","DOIUrl":"10.1002/bmb.70025","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Proteins are essential in biological systems, acting in transport, catalysis, and immune defense processes. However, these biomolecules' structural and functional complexity makes teaching and understanding these topics challenging. To address this difficulty, this study aimed to develop tutorials that facilitate learning and teaching about proteins based on structural analysis and molecular visualization through the interactions of the antigen–antibody complex. Thus, the ChimeraX platform was chosen as the central tool due to its intuitive interface and features that allow the manipulation and visualization of three-dimensional molecules, such as proteins, DNA, and chemical compounds, in .pdb format. The software combines visual and analytical functions, covering from basic to advanced aspects, adapting to the user's level of knowledge. The study presented three practical tutorials: (i) presentation of the tool, (ii) focusing on immunology, and (iii) addressing aspects of biochemistry. These tutorials demonstrated how to use ChimeraX to explore the relationship between protein structure and function, highlighting topics such as molecular interactions and other relevant biochemical processes. In addition, the Tutorials 1 and 2 were validated through the application in a microbiology undergraduate class, followed by a questionnaire and CVI analysis, which confirmed their clarity, relevance, and applicability, reinforcing their role as effective resources for integrating bioinformatics into health-related courses. Thus, the study contributes to disseminating knowledge methods and tools that enable more dynamic and accessible learning through visual and interactive approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":8830,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education","volume":"54 1","pages":"92-102"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877970/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145511590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"An Academics Guide to Approaching Bioscience Curricula Design: Stakeholders, Material and Assessment Choice, and Employability","authors":"Kirsten Riches-Suman, Simon Tweddell","doi":"10.1002/bmb.70023","DOIUrl":"10.1002/bmb.70023","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The ultimate aim of all higher education programs is to produce work-ready graduates who can enter a number of career paths. Bioscience graduates are well suited to a multitude of career paths such as research, education or industry. Designing an undergraduate bioscience program that can prepare learners for this multitude of career pathways can be a challenge. Curricula design is a substantive piece of work that is often given to subject specialists who are very familiar with biological science as a subject, but perhaps less well versed in the underpinning pedagogical principles of teaching, learning and assessment. Academics can be left to design curricula alongside their existing teaching, research and administrative duties which leaves little time for thorough research into the theory behind the design process, and how this can be conducted to ensure a focus on employability as well as scientific proficiency. This article aims to provide a “how to” guide for academics who are engaged in designing or redesigning biological science curricula, and is based on experiences of redesigning a Biomedical Science undergraduate degree. It provides an overview of the key considerations to make in the overarching structure of the program, the needs of learners, employers and accrediting bodies, the theory underpinning the comparative strengths and weaknesses of different learning delivery and assessment strategies, and how these can all coalesce to provide a biological curriculum that encourages and enhances diverse postgraduation careers.</p>","PeriodicalId":8830,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education","volume":"54 1","pages":"18-28"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877988/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145501900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sara A. Mehltretter, Walter R. P. Novak, Cole Bergman, Benjamin Nathan Felix, Chris Anderson, Laura M. Wysocki
{"title":"Exploring Genetic Engineering Through a Deliberation in Biochemistry","authors":"Sara A. Mehltretter, Walter R. P. Novak, Cole Bergman, Benjamin Nathan Felix, Chris Anderson, Laura M. Wysocki","doi":"10.1002/bmb.70022","DOIUrl":"10.1002/bmb.70022","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Well-trained scientists work collaboratively with people of various expertise, balancing their technical knowledge with many other factors when addressing complex problems. However, biochemistry courses are under pressure to cover a wide range of content and traditional pedagogy and may not address the development of this important skill. Deliberation, which is a facilitated conversation that encourages the consideration of different perspectives and approaches to complex societal issues, is one opportunity to engage students in applying their fundamental knowledge together with their lived experience. Here, we apply a polarity mapping model of deliberation to the question of releasing genetically modified mice to control tick-borne Lyme disease in Nantucket. Participants considered the tension between ecological preservation and genetic innovation in this case. Inductive thematic analysis of student responses to open-ended questions after the deliberation highlight positive learning outcomes along three key themes: collaboration, synthesis of ideas and information, and understanding of trade-offs and tensions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":8830,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education","volume":"54 1","pages":"85-91"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145501893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determination of Thermal DNA-Stability With Respect to PCR or How to Debunk a Pseudoscientific Claim","authors":"Vivien Dycks, Andreas Beyer","doi":"10.1002/bmb.70029","DOIUrl":"10.1002/bmb.70029","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Debunking pseudoscience is difficult, especially for early-career students and the public. Recently, in particular the Corona pandemic has spawned a whole range of pseudoscientific claims and conspiracy theories, many of which are publicly available in the style of scientific articles on preprint servers, in predatory journals, or in some cases even as regular scientific papers making it difficult to distinguish scientific papers from pseudoscience. One example is a recently published paper claiming that PCR is unreliable because DNA is thermolabile. While experts have the skills to recognize such pseudoscience, inexperienced early-career students usually have few chances to critically evaluate such claims. Here, we present some simple experiments that combine several aspects: (I) the analysis of a seemingly reputable publication, (II) planning experiments on the physicochemistry of DNA, (III) conducting and analyzing these experiments, and finally (IV) the refutation of the claim that PCR is unreliable. These experiments can be carried out in any standard laboratory with basic molecular biology equipment. They are therefore suitable for undergraduate programs and for high school courses. The model case described here enables students to critically evaluate these claims through practical investigations and to form their own informed opinion. The participants gained new insights into the planning of experiments and a completely new perspective on the subject of science and pseudoscience.</p>","PeriodicalId":8830,"journal":{"name":"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education","volume":"54 1","pages":"49-58"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2026-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12877964/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146008726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"教育学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}