Cybertory at the Biomodel.UAH website is a free resource that allows students to perform simulated experiments involving genetic analysis on DNA samples. Experimental design is flexible and results respond to the settings. The techniques involve either RFLP analysis using restriction enzymes or amplification by PCR, both followed by electrophoretic separation of the DNA fragments.
With occasional users having requested access once while others using it repeatedly for up to 7 or 8 years, I recently decided to run a survey about why, how and what were instructors using with their students, and which were their perceptions regarding contribution to the learning process. The output of this survey has been collated for a presentation at the International Conference on Education and New Developments 2025, held in Budapest in June, and is now offered to the community through the links noted below. To provide a glimpse of the results, some graphs are included here.
Aside from global satisfaction, it is most relevant that several features that were intentionally included, while designing the simulated environment, as desirable for achieving an effective and profitable learning using this kind of platforms have been matched in the report from users. Among them:
- Overcome limitations that, in many circumstances, can hinder teaching laboratories: space, time, instrumentation, samples, reagents, safety requirements.
- Enrich the learning experience, providing a complement to real experimentation, opportunities for review or reinforcement, familiarisation with techniques outside the physical laboratory, or access to modern techniques not available in the centre.
- Remarkably, it is interesting to avoid closed resources where everything flows as expected and the result is fixed and predictable. It is much more suitable to allow the possibility of performing true experiments when there are diverse samples, modifiable parameters, that lead to different results according to the design that has been chosen to carry out the experiment.
- The use of different samples for each user and on each occasion, randomly assigned, provides different results, even negative results (unsuccessful experiments), as in real life.
- Allowing free exploration encourages inquiry and hence training on experimental design and the scientific method: setting hypotheses, adjustment of experimental conditions, observation of results, extraction of conclusions.
Further reading:
- Virtual laboratories as a way to enhance students learning in biosciences. (Proceedings from the congress)
- The Cybertory virtual molecular laboratory: How does it serve the teaching community? Report from users. (Full report from the survey, with graphs)
- Molecular biology labs without the lab. FEBS Network, 2018
- Learn by doing — risk-free and from your home: how a genetic test detects Coronavirus. FEBS Network, 2020