It is important for me to be transparent about the rationale behind the assignments in this course. The group project (opens in new window) has the learning objectives:
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Compile a series of reliable references and relevant examples of applications of automation and bacterial work to provide a framework justifying the significance of this high-throughput approach. (CO 5)
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Write, edit, and revise a complete manuscript following the guidelines for JoVE. (CO 1, 2, 3)
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Carefully review a manuscript and script that uses high-throughput approaches to advance science and provide constructive feedback. (CO 4, 5)
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Present their work in a clear and informative summary for a broad audience. (CO 6)
The design of this project will require interdisciplinary teams to work together to conduct research on the topic, review the protocol, and analyze the advantages and limitations of using a liquid handler. The concept of collaborative/positive interdependence is key: success depends on the participation of all members.
The deliverables are weekly updates that are visible to other group members to foster accountability and exchange of ideas. A teamwork equity monitor reports to the instructor to ensure everyone has a chance to share opinions, ideas, and efforts. Roles switch every week to allow everyone to be an active participant.
We worked with the NC State University Libraries to help you obtain access to useful resources for scholarly research. Opentrons and Zymo have provided scripts and information about the protocols, and they are aware of the assignment. You have also learned about the format, scope, and key features of JoVE articles by analyzing one as part of a previous assignment. All this helps prepare the groups to produce high-quality drafts of manuscripts that will be peer-reviewed to further allow for constructive feedback and improvement. The product will be a high-quality manuscript and protocol that can be used by others to implement automation and high-throughput approaches to address biological questions.
