Subject(s)
Communication , Science , Biomedical Research , Cell Biology , Communicable Diseases , DNA , Environmental Health , Humans , Public Policy , Translational Research, BiomedicalABSTRACT
The Spanish Society for Developmental Biology (SEBD) organized its 17th meeting in November 2020 (herein referred to as SEBD2020). This meeting, originally programmed to take place in the city of Bilbao, was forced onto an online format due to the SARS-CoV2, COVID-19 pandemic. Although, we missed the live personal interactions and missed out on the Bilbao social scene, we were able to meet online to present our work and discuss our latest results. An overview of the activities that took place around the meeting, the different scientific sessions and the speakers involved are presented here. The pros and cons of virtual meetings are discussed.
Subject(s)
Developmental Biology/methods , Developmental Biology/trends , Animals , Cell Biology/trends , Developmental Biology/education , Humans , Internet , Models, Animal , Nervous System , Peer Review , Publications , Publishing , Regeneration , Schools , Societies, Medical , SpainABSTRACT
Chelsey C. Spriggs works in the field of DNA viral entry with a specific interest in virus-host interactions. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how two papers, "The HCMV assembly compartment is a dynamic Golgi-derived MTOC that controls nuclear rotation and virus spread" (D. J. Procter, A. Banerjee, M. Nukui, K. Kruse, et al., Dev Cell 45:83-100.e7, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2018.03.010) and "Cytoplasmic control of intranuclear polarity by human cytomegalovirus" (D. J. Procter, C. Furey, A. G. Garza-Gongora, S. T. Kosak, D. Walsh, Nature 587:109-114, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2714-x), impacted her research by reinforcing the scientific value in using viruses to understand cell biology.
Subject(s)
Cell Biology , Host Microbial Interactions , Viruses/pathogenicity , COVID-19 , Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral , HumansABSTRACT
The recent advent of methods for high-throughput single-cell and spatial profiling have opened the way to complete the 150-year-old endeavor of identifying all cell types in the human body, by their distinctive molecular profiles, and to relate this information to other cellular descriptions, physiological phenotypes, molecular mechanisms and functions. Our effort to build a comprehensive reference map of the molecular state of cells in healthy human tissues is propelling the systematic study of physiological states, developmental trajectories, regulatory circuitry and interactions of cells, provides a framework for understanding cellular dysregulation in human disease, and suggests the possibility of predicting cell types and behaviors, towards a "periodic table of our cells". In this talk, I describe our foundational work underlying single cell genomics and the conceptual framework and impact of our understanding of cell and tissue biology in health, as well as how we use it to shed light on rare disease, cancer, and COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Atlases as Topic , Single-Cell Analysis , Cell Biology , Genomics , HumansSubject(s)
Antibodies/therapeutic use , COVID-19 Vaccines , Cell Biology , Developmental Biology , Electronic Nose , Mass Spectrometry/instrumentation , Neurosciences , Animals , Antibodies/chemistry , Antibodies/genetics , Antibodies/immunology , Bacterial Proteins/drug effects , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Bacterial Proteins/radiation effects , Bioprinting/trends , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/chemistry , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19 Vaccines/supply & distribution , Cell Biology/instrumentation , Cell Biology/trends , Developmental Biology/methods , Developmental Biology/trends , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Embryo, Mammalian/embryology , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Embryonic Development/genetics , Holography/trends , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/chemistry , Immunoglobulin E/genetics , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Immunoglobulin E/therapeutic use , Ion Channels/metabolism , Mass Spectrometry/methods , Membrane Proteins/drug effects , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/radiation effects , Mice , Microscopy/instrumentation , Microscopy/trends , Molecular Probes/analysis , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Neurosciences/methods , Neurosciences/trends , Optogenetics/trends , Single-Cell Analysis , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-IonizationABSTRACT
The year 2020 will forever be remembered as a season of pandemic teaching due to rising COVID-19 infections. Institutions of higher learning abruptly changed from in-person to online in attempts to minimize COVID-19 spread. Due to this, we created and taught online cell biology labs in response to the COVID-19 campus shutdown. Our virtual cell biology lab course emphasized molecular and cellular biology methods that can be used to study cells. Our report includes cell biology lab descriptions, learning outcomes, skills learned, lab set up and format, virtual tools used, lab sources, and lessons learned. We show how creative online lab alternatives can provide students valuable scientific learning experiences when in-person learning is not possible.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cell Biology/education , Education, Distance , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , HumansABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: As the coronavirus pandemic swept across national and state borders, institutions of higher learning, including cytology, began closing campuses and moving instruction online. We have described a method of remotely teaching cytology in our institution, including using the telecytology concept used with rapid onsite evaluation and remote conferencing and educational tools to conduct eCytology learning. This is a cost-effective method to transition a traditional in-classroom program into online teaching for cytology. It can also be implemented quickly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In March 2020, our cytology program developed a method for teaching cytology remotely. The distance-learning teaching method included the use of remote conferencing (Zoom platform) and learning management platforms (Canvas) to present lectures and administer tests. Remote multihead sessions were conducted by adapting the telecytology rapid onsite evaluation concept, which attaches a mobile device to the microscope to transmit live video to remote learners. RESULTS: When asked about their experience with online learning, the students had responded positively. All the students indicated a willingness to attend classes remotely in the future, even when the traditional in-classroom learning option is available. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a method for educating students remotely using existing technology that is affordable and can be implemented quickly by nearly all cytology education programs.
Subject(s)
Cell Biology/education , Cell Biology/standards , Education, Distance/methods , Education, Distance/standards , Education, Distance/trends , Humans , LearningABSTRACT
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The infection has predominantly respiratory transmission and is transmitted through large droplets or aerosols, and less commonly by contact with infected surfaces or fomites. The alarming spread of the infection and the severe clinical disease that it may cause have led to the widespread institution of social distancing measures. Because of repeated exposure to potentially infectious patients and specimens, health care and laboratory personnel are particularly susceptible to contract COVID-19. This review paper provides an assessment of the current state of knowledge about the disease and its pathology, and the potential presence of the virus in cytology specimens. It also discusses the measures that cytology laboratories can take to function during the pandemic, and minimize the risk to their personnel, trainees, and pathologists. In addition, it explores potential means to continue to educate trainees during the COVID-19 pandemic.