Data-Savvy Scientists: Utilizing Data Figure Format for iterative Cell Biology Laboratory Assessments Involving Zebrafish

 

Jenean H. O’Brien

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2019, Volume 40

Abstract

Data figures are the currency of science communication. Visual representations of experimental results are used to ‘sell the story’ of our own research to fellow scientists and even to the general public. Further, we use these visual representations to analyze the experiments performed by others, to decide whether we ‘buy it.’ Therefore, learning how to appropriately design and interpret data figures is critical to the education of future scientists, and also to non-scientist consumers. Here, we present a series of laboratory activities from our upper division Cell Biology course in which students are assessed on their ability to create data figures from their own experimental results. These experiments utilize zebrafish to perform immunofluorescent (IF) staining and Western Blotting (WB). First students perform IF experiments to investigate their hypotheses and develop Figure #1 to share their imaged results. After receiving instructor feedback, students perform WB experiments to investigate the same hypotheses and develop Figure #2. The goal of this iterative data figure design is to expose students to the challenges of effectively presenting their data to communicate what they see and to create awareness of how science consumers may inaccurately interpret these displays, while providing students an opportunity to improve on their process. Additionally, these exercises demonstrate how multiple techniques can be utilized to explore similar questions. Examples of how these data figure assignments have been incorporated into other course aspects, including team-based problem sets and exam questions are included, along with a brief review of additional laboratory exercises that have utilized this assessment format in Genetics and Cell Culture courses.

Keywords:  Western blot, molecular biology, Inquiry-based learning, inquiry-based laboratory, immunofluorescent stain

The Ohio State University (2018)