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ERIC Number: EJ1205080
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Dec
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1539-2422
EISSN: N/A
The Development of an Inquiry-Based Laboratory Module Exploring the Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Belanger, Rachelle M.; Grabowski, Gregory M.; Joshi, Gnanada S.; Tuttle, Jacob E.
Bioscene: Journal of College Biology Teaching, v44 n2 p3-9 Dec 2018
Histotechnology is commonly used in medical research, pathological testing, and pharmaceutical development. We designed a three-week, inquiry-based laboratory module that helps prepare students for biomedical careers by teaching them tissue sampling, processing, and imaging. Rats were treated with streptozotocin (a known diabetogen) while control rats were injected with buffer solution. Rats were sacrificed one week following treatment. Pre- and post-injection weights were compared and blood samples were collected for glucose analysis and insulin determinations using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pancreatic tissue was collected, preserved in Bouin's fixative, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned using a microtome. Students then performed hematoxylin/phloxine staining. The number of islet beta cells were compared between control and treated rats. Blood glucose measurements demonstrated that treated rats had significantly higher blood glucose levels and lower beta cells numbers, while the ELISA tests indicated that treated rats had lower blood insulin concentrations. Following this module, students presented an individual poster with images and quantitative data analyses that included insulin concentrations, blood glucose levels, and histological images of pancreatic islets, in addition to beta cell quantification. Overall, students gained hands-on experience with hypothesis testing and an understanding of the pathology of diabetes.
Association of College and Biology Educators. Web site: http://acube.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A