Computational strategy for visualizing structures and teaching biochemistry
- 22 December 2018
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
- Vol. 47 (1), 76-84
- https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21199
Abstract
Computational techniques have great potential to improve the teaching‐learning. In this work, we used a computational strategy to visualize three‐dimensional (3D) structures of proteins and DNA and help the student to comprehend biochemistry concepts such as protein structure and function, substrate, and inhibitors as well as DNA structural features. The practical classes included tutorials to be done in the computer using structures from Protein Data Bank and a free 3D structure visualization software, Swiss PDB Viewer. The activity was done with 76 students from biology and pharmacy undergraduate courses. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate the knowledge regarding specific biochemistry contents before and after the activity and the opinion of the students. An overall increased percentage of correct answers post‐classes (75.91%) were observed in comparison to pre‐classes (35.53%). All the students indicated that it could contribute to the learning of DNA and protein structure contents; approximately 90% stated that it enables structures visualization or makes the learning and understanding easier. Therefore, the strategy has shown to be effective, allowing the contextualization of biochemistry themes and may complement theoretical classes. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 00(00):1–9, 2018.Keywords
Funding Information
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Code 001)
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