EHRAB week 29

This week it is all about coffee.  We will read the coffee genome paper.

The coffee genome provides insight into the convergent evolution of caffeine biosynthesis by Denoeud et. al.

Read the paper and bring a cup of coffee 🙂

Fahad Alinzy will lead the discussion.

paper selected by HA

EHRAB week 28

I am inviting my friend Ali Alhasan to lead the discussion on “The effect of thought on circumstances“.  The reading is only chapter 2 from “As a man thinketh” by James Allen.

It should be a lot of fun even without reading the short chapter.

We are organizing the open day for the molecular biology program.  The event will take place at Faiza Alkhurafi building (9-2) on the 3rd and 4th of March.

Come and visit us.

EHRAB week 27

The current issue of nature is all about epigenomics.  I would like to go over several papers during the upcoming weeks.  Do not panic.  It might be hard to read but it will be a good learning experience.

Integrative analysis of 111 reference human epigenomes, Roadmap Epigenomics Consortium

Paper selected by HA

EHRAB week 26

How the zebra got its stripes: a problem with too many solutions. by Larison et. al.

paper selected by Anood AlOtaibi

EHRAB week 25

This week I am inviting my friend Ali Alhasan to lead the discussion.  I have learned a lot from him and I hope you do as well. He chose the following paper.

Are you a victim of the victim syndrome? by Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries

Implementing the active learning strategies that we have been practicing on research papers requires some creative adjustments.  Dr. Jamillah Zamoon suggested the following as a frame-work for discussing research paper while maintaining the spirit of active learning.

1. The discussion leader (the person who chose the paper) describes the paper briefly and focuses on:
   1.  General background.
   2. Hypotheses.
   3. Objectives.
   4. Significance.
2. To achieve the goals of active learning, the focus will be on the figures of the paper.
3. Participants form groups of 4-5.
4. Each group will be assigned or will choose a figure (or more).
5. The group’s job is to discuss, analyze, and understand the assigned figure.  The group can focus on:
   1. The experimental design and methods that led to the results summarized in the figure.
   2. The data and analyses used to generate the results in the figure.
   3. What conclusions the figure support.
   4. Are their any weaknesses in the analysis/figure.
   5. Is their an alternative way to perform the analysis and present the results.
6. Each group can use the board to write:
   1. one side: Aspects understood and general notes.
   2. other side: Aspects unclear and questions.
7. The discussion leader takes charge and:
   1. Allows each group to their figure and related information in the paper.
   2. Summarizes and connects the figures together to understand the paper as a whole.
   3. States the conclusions.
   4. Answers questions and clarify any misunderstandings.

EHRAB week 24

A comparison of worldwide phonemic and genetic variation in human populations. by: Creanza et. al.

Paper selected by HA

EHRAB week 23

This article is not an open access one.  I have made copies and placed them in the box outside my office.  Feel free to go and pick up a copy.

Paper was selected by JZ