“Half-wet-half-dry”: an innovation in undergraduate laboratory classes to generate transgenic mouse models using CRISPR/Cas9 and computer simulation

Animal models are widely used in laboratory practicals in biomedical disciplines. However, experiments involving animal work are usually time-and-labor consuming. It is also costly to run an animal lab and the animal caring/holding request special training. Here we present a laboratory course design that provides students with wet lab experience in gene editing in mouse stem cell lines using CRSISPR/Cas9 and dry lab experience in generating transgenic mouse models using computer simulation. This workshop is for senior undergraduates as well as graduate students and is designed to help them understand the application of gene editing in biomedical research. The virtual simulation is incorporated as a computer-based alternative to using mice for embryo transplantation, breeding, and characterization. The integrated curriculum of wet and dry laboratories enabled us to complete this complicate multi-disciplinary experiment in one semester. In addition, the computer-based alternatives reduce the unnecessary animal tests down to zero and errors during practice are well-tolerated without raising any ethical issues. The survey and student’s feedback showed overall satisfaction in their learning experiences and learning benefits. The evaluation of the outcomes of learning objectives on the completion of this course revealed positive achievements in bioinformatics, molecular biology, and in general animal work