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This activity guides students though a careful reading of a primary literature article. It prompts them to think critically, to ask questions and to learn how to find answers on their own. Published between 1992 and 1993, the research articles accompanying this Activity trace the work that led to the identification of the molecular targets (SNAREs) of the botulinum neurotoxin endopeptidase activity and the effect that this enzyme has on synaptic vesicle transport.
When reading review articles, students should aim to do the following:
- Gain a comprehensive view of the field of research.
- Acquire necessary technical and biological background
needed to complete the primary literature reading.
- Consider the significance of particular research findings in the context of the wider field of research.
When reading research articles, students should aim to do the following:
- Identify the authors' choice for experimental methods and approach.
- Describe and explain the experimental controls.
- Consider the limitations of this approach
- Analyze the results, considering any possible
bias toward one interpretation of these results
over another.
- Propose new directions of research to clarify or build upon the authors' results.
This Activity has four Assignments for instructors
to choose between or to combine. Each Assignment contains
references to a set of scientific and review articles
for students to read. The Teaching Notes provide instructors
with a variety of options for assessment and evaluation,
including a set of sample answers (for instructors
only).
Assignment 1: Identification
of Synatobrevin as a Target of BoNT/B
Assignment 2: Biochemical
Identification of SNAP Receptors
Assignment 3: Identification
of SNAP-25 as Targets for BoNT/A
Assignment 4: Identification
of Syntaxin as a Target for BoNT/C
Teaching Notes
For a downloadable/printable version in PDF format of these pages visit Core Materials
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