Cell Biol Educ 2(3): 141-143 2003
DOI: 10.1187/cbe.03-06-0023
© 2003 American Society for Cell Biology
WWW.Cell Biology Education
Robert Blystone
Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas 78212
Submitted June 3, 2003;
Revised June 28, 2003;
Accepted June 30, 2003
Each quarter, Cell Biology Education calls attention to several
Web sites of educational interest to the life science community. The journal
does not endorse or guarantee the accuracy of the information at any of the
listed sites. If you want to comment on the selections or suggest future
inclusions, please send a message to
rblyston{at}trinity.edu.
The sites listed below were last accessed on June 1, 2003.
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CANCERQUEST
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http://cancerquest.org/
Many biologists have only an indirect knowledge of the cancer biology
field. The CancerQuest site gives a very clean overview of the biology of
cancer and at the same time provides a wonderful structure for teaching the
topic to either high-school or college audiences. Dr. Gregg Orloff of the
Emory University Biology Department developed the concept and design of the
site. Working with students and Emory IT (Information Technology)
professionals, the effort has received funding through a Hughes Science
Initiative and with Emory resources.
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Figure 1. The introductory screen logo for CancerQuest. Graphic used with the
permission of Gregg Orloff, Emory University.
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The site is divided into 12 topics, with a topic having as many as 10
subsections. The subsections are divided into individual parts, each of which
is displayed on two or fewer less computer pages. (See
Figure 1, where subsections for
each topic are listed under the title screen.) Some parts have computer
animations to clarify the concept. (See
Figure 2 for a ribozyme
cleavage image.) The animations require the free software Flash 6 player in
order to operate. (Flash 6 player found at
http://www.macromedia.com/.)
Each subsection part is tightly focused and easy to grasp by the viewer.
Within the text are hypertext words; when selected, the word appears in
dictionary style with definitions. Also within the text are arrow icons that
lead to very current references for key statements, a very nice feature.
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Figure 2. An example of a ribozyme animation graphic. The concept being demonstrated
has to do with methods of cancer treatment. Graphic used with the permission
of Gregg Orloff, Emory University.
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The first four topics deal with common biology material: biological
molecules (with molecular rotations), cell structure, central dogma, and cell
division. Although these topics are meant to support the cancer biology
information to follow, the presented material would complement many biology
courses. Transitioning into the specific cancer material are two topics on
genetics. Here the concepts of oncogenes and tumor suppressors are beautifully
animated. DNA mutation and underlying causes are nicely explored as well.
The next three topics get at the heart of the CancerQuest site: tumor
biology, diagnosis, and treatment. Terms like carcinoma are carefully defined.
Although the word carcinoma is familiar to many, few realize that a carcinoma
cell is derived from epithelial cells and constitute about 85% of the reported
cancers. Figure 3 demonstrates
how enzymes from carcinoma cells allow the cancer cells to escape from the
epithelial surface and enter the depths of the body. Tumor biology and
metastasis are explored in an understandable way, with references given to
other sources of information such as a Public Broadcasting System's
Nova special on cancer.
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Figure 3. An illustration from an animation demonstrating how matrix metalloproteases
carve through the basal lamina and allow carcinoma cells to escape into the
bloodstream. Graphic used with the permission of Gregg Orloff, Emory
University.
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The topic title "Diagnosis and Detection" is exceptionally well
done. Colonoscopy is explained, with very clear illustrations of what normal,
polyp, and cancerous tissue are. How tumors are staged is clearly outlined as
is an extremely useful section demonstrating how to read a pathology report.
Again, the topic has words with which most people are familiar but that have
never put together in such a clear fashion. Links are provided to quality
sources of information.
The next topic explores treatment and contains over 75 pages of
information. Often as biologists we are asked how chemotherapy works. Rarely
do we have the background to answer specific questions. This treatment section
provides a broad understanding of current treatment modalities. The
presentation sequence is superb. References and links to more information are
provided. Readers can gather a broad perspective about cancer treatment in a
very compact and understandable format.
The last two topics direct the Web viewer to finding information about
clinical trials and additional references. There is a search engine built into
the site. CancerQuest is an impressive site with a high value for teaching as
well as for personal information gathering. Be prepared to spend some time at
this URL. Hats off to Dr. Orloff, his staff, and Emory University for
developing a very needed and thoughtful site.
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Figure 4. The exercise is based on a Bausch & Lomb Galen II compound microscope.
Graphic used with the permission of Robert Ketcham, University of
Delaware.
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VIRTUAL MICROSCOPE
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http://www.udel.edu/Biology/ketcham/microscope/
In a world full of electronic gadgets and widgets of all kinds, many
students fail to grasp the fundamentals of operating a standard optical light
microscope. Robert Ketcham and Becky Kinney of the University of Delaware have
developed an interactive Web program that allows students to practice using a
microscope over the Internet. Working with university funding, the Virtual
Microscope lab has been produced primarily for nonmajors taking their initial
biology laboratory.
Ketcham and Kinney base their microscopy lab exercise on the Bausch &
Lomb Galen II compound microscope, a widely used student microscope
(Figure 4). A student is
instructed to practice systematically 10 elements of microscopy usage
(Figure 5). Students are
instructed to turn on the light, set the light rheostat, place the low-power
lens in position, center the specimen, and move the stage to the top position.
As obvious as this all seems to a practiced microscopist, many students have
not picked up these fundamentals. The next sequence is to adjust the oculars,
course focus, iris diaphragm, and fine focus. By using the computer program,
novice microscope users can practice these maneuvers before they begin working
with real microscopes in the lab.
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Figure 5. A concept checklist for the use of the virtual microscope. Used with
permission of Robert Ketcham, University of Delaware.
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The current version of this digital-based microscope comes with four
slides: the letter "e," an onion root tip
(Figure 6), a bacterial
capsule, and a cheek smear. One can envision additional slides being added
over time. Associated with the learning experience is a problem set that
causes the students to examine"puzzles" such as an out-of-focus
microscope. This virtual microscope comes with an ocular micrometer and the
problem set also includes some measurement exercises. Complementing the
virtual microscope is a 7-min video on how to use the microscope. The video
can be played through a number of publicly available Web formats and in
different screen sizes to accommodate various connection speeds.
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Figure 6. The onion root tip slide as viewed through the virtual microscope. Used
with permission of R. Ketcham, University of Delaware.
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Although this site is still a work in progress, it has great value in
preparing a student for the first microscopy lab. It is both a fun site to
visit and a perfect place to start practicing good microscopy habits.
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FOOTNOTES
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Monitoring Editor: A. Malcolm Campbell
Corresponding author. E-mail address:
rblyston{at}trinity.edu.
TOP
CANCERQUEST
VIRTUAL MICROSCOPE