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Hormone mediated nuclear effects and bioinformatics: learning one from the other
Author(s) -
Sousa Joao Carlos,
Costa Manuel Joao,
Palha Joana Almeida
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.5.a975
Subject(s) - nuclear receptor , gene , context (archaeology) , computational biology , mechanism (biology) , bioinformatics , hormone , function (biology) , biology , transcription factor , regulation of gene expression , gene expression , genetics , endocrinology , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology
The complexity of hormone‐dependent gene regulation is hard to convey in teacher centered learning scenarios due to a considerable diversity of roles, processes and implicated mediators. This is a rich field of knowledge that student's can explore, since 1) each of these molecules influences the expression of several genes, 2) there is tissue specificity, and 3) it involves interaction with several transcription factors. Furthermore, gene regulation is of increasing interest, with emphasis on its clinical and pharmacological applications. This work advances a student centered approach that fosters learning of responses mediated by hormone‐dependent nuclear receptors. Students are challenged to explore a specific hormone receptor and its role in mediating gene expression. Given a short DNA sequence of a gene promoter, and by using free bioinformatics resources, students are then required to identify the nuclear receptor and to discuss the function of the gene in the context of its hormonal regulation in health and disease. By exploring the regulation of a specific gene, students get involved in understanding the mechanism underlying hormone‐dependent gene regulation. To satisfy the need of identifying the genes and macromolecules involved, students get familiarized with important internet databases and online bioinformatics resources. The approach was found to be effective with 2nd year medical undergraduates.