SBIR-STTR Award

This phase I proposal is to develop educational computer programs to stimulate molecular biology experiments, and to use this software to create instructional materials for molecular genetics. Since the main portion of the software simulates equipment upon which the virtual experiments are performed, experiments and laboratory exercises can be aimed at the learning requirements of different audiences, while using the same underlying simulators. Specific aims include: 1) develop a set of interactive "experiment simulator" computer programs for laboratory-style discovery-based molecular biology instruction; 2) develop authoring tools for interactive instructional materials; 3) establish supporting Internet resource (www.attotron.com/ cybertory); 4) develop interactive problem sets in genetics and molecular biology; and 5) begin establishing small-scale experimental teaching laboratories to gauge the effectiveness of products. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: We will develop "simulated sample" data sets with accompanying exercises, workbooks and related curricular materials for markets ranging from high school biology classes to courses in continuing medical education, and license the simulation software for CD-ROM distribution with such materials.

Thesaurus Terms:
computer program /software, computer simulation, method development, molecular biology, molecular genetics, science education

We will continue development of our Cybertory Virtual Molecular Biology Laboratory software, and create accompanying instructional materials. New modules will work together to support a wide range of virtual experiments. We will develop exercises in the context of existing undergraduate molecular biology and genetics courses. Using an iterative approach, results from ongoing educational evaluations will guide the development of software and curricular materials to tailor the product to the educational needs of this audience. Specific Aims I. Additional modules will support Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), ligation, cloning, blotting, band isolation, library screening, hybridization, microarray assays, and mapping transcribed regions of genomes. II. Code optimization will focus on refactoring and designing code in a modular, easily maintainable object oriented framework. III. Exercises in the virtual laboratory will include topics in agriculture, forensics and medicine. IV. Evaluation of the exercises as teaching tools will be used both to provide feedback to developers during development, and summatively to assess the final product. V. Plans for commercialization center around growing a large worldwide audience by making the basic simulator and example exercises available at no charge on the Web. Added-value products will include exercise workbooks, server software licenses, and workshop services.

Thesaurus Terms:
computer program /software, computer simulation, computer system design /evaluation, method development, molecular biology, molecular genetics, science education Internet, curriculum, molecular cloning, polymerase chain reaction