“Shovel-ready” Sequences as a Stimulus for the Next Generation of Life Scientists

Abstract

<p align="justify">Genomics and bioinformatics are dynamic fields well-suited for capturing the imagination of undergraduates in both research laboratories and classrooms. Currently, raw nucleotide sequence is being provided, as part of several genomics research initiatives, for undergraduate research and teaching. These initiatives could be easily extended and much more effective if the source of the sequenced material and the subsequent focus of the data analysis were aligned with the research interests of individual faculty at undergraduate institutions. By judicious use of surplus capacity in existing nucleotide sequencing cores, raw sequence data could be generated to support ongoing research efforts involving undergraduates. This would allow these students to participate actively in discovery research, with a goal of making novel contributions to their field through original research while nurturing the next generation of talented research scientists.</p

Volume 37 Number 2

“…USC's Teaching-Research Nexus(Figure 2) was also embedded into the microbiology stream that advocates 'mutually reinforcing connections between teaching and research that are central to the meaning of higher education and the idea of the university'. 'Teaching-Research Nexus has traditionally driven both curriculum design and delivery, and the research efforts of many universities19,20 , and this tradition has also been pivotal at the University of the Sunshine Coast since its foundation. The dual pathway where research shapes and informs teaching, and teaching shapes and informs research defines the nexus' and is embedded in the operations of the University at several levels since its foundation.…”