Scientific research experiences are beneficial to students allowing them to gain laboratory and problem-solving skills, as well as foundational research skills in a team-based setting. We designed a laboratory module to provide a guided research experience to stimulate curiosity, introduce students to experimental techniques, and provide students with foundational skills needed for higher levels of guided inquiry. In this laboratory module, students learn about RNA interference (RNAi) and codon optimization using the research organism Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). Students are given the opportunity to perform a commonly used method of gene downregulation in C. elegans where they visualize gene depletion using fluorescence microscopy and quantify the efficacy of depletion using quantitative image analysis. The module presented here educates students on how to report their results and findings by generating publication quality figures and figure legends. The activities outlined exemplify ways by which students can improve their critical thinking, data interpretation, and technical skills, all of which are beneficial for future laboratory classes, independent inquiry-based research projects, and careers in the life sciences and beyond.

中文翻译：

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使用秀丽隐杆线虫通过荧光显微镜探索 RNA 干扰和密码子优化的实验室模块

科学研究经验对学生有益，使他们能够获得实验室和解决问题的技能，以及在基于团队的环境中的基础研究技能。我们设计了一个实验室模块来提供引导式研究体验，以激发好奇心，向学生介绍实验技术，并为学生提供更高水平的引导式探究所需的基础技能。在这个实验室模块中，学生使用研究生物秀丽隐杆线虫( C. elegans )学习 RNA 干扰 (RNAi) 和密码子优化。学生有机会在秀丽隐杆线虫中执行常用的基因下调方法他们使用荧光显微镜可视化基因消耗，并使用定量图像分析量化消耗的功效。这里介绍的模块教育学生如何通过生成出版质量的数字和图例来报告他们的结果和发现。概述的活动举例说明了学生可以提高批判性思维、数据解释和技术技能的方法，所有这些都有益于未来的实验室课程、基于独立探究的研究项目以及生命科学及其他领域的职业。