- INTRODUCTION (20)
Context (8)
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the big picture; why is this question important/ interesting in the field of biology?
- Provide at least one explanation of why others would find the topic interesting and some relevant context for the research question(s).
- Details to include:
- What are HL-60 cells? Where do they come from? Describe the cells.
- Differentiation
- PMA
- DMSO
- Monocytes
- Granulocytes
- MMP-9 and it’s signal transduction pathway
Accuracy and relevance (6)
- Content knowledge is accurate, relevant and provides appropriate background for reader including defining critical terms.
- Background information is specific to content.
- Primary literature references are not critical, but if cited, done accurately (Xie paper should probably be cited).
Hypothesis (6)
- Hypotheses are clearly stated, testable and consider reasonable alternative explanations
- At least one relevant, testable hypothesis is clearly stated.
- The hypothesis may be compared with a “null” alternative which is usually the absence of the expected result.
- Details to include:
- Cell viability with treatments
- Differentiation experiments
- MMP9 expression
- MATERIALS & METHODS (10)
Procedure, Controls & Replication
- Procedure is clearly explained.
- Appropriate controls (including replication) are present and explained and represent all variables being tested.
- Student demonstrates a reasonable sense of why controls/ replication matter for this experiment.
- Details to include:
- Trypan Blue Viability Assay
- Cellular staining
- May-Grunwald/Giemsa
- RT-PCR
- RNA isolation
- RT reaction
- PCR
- Zymogram
- RESULTS (20)
Data Selection (8)
- Data are comprehensive, accurate and relevant.
- Reader can fully evaluate whether the hypotheses were supported or rejected with the data provided.
- Details to include:
- Trypan Blue data
- May-Grunwald data
- Agarose gel image for RT-PCR
- Zymogram gel image
Data Presentation (12)
- Data are summarized in a logical format with appropriate table or graph types. Properly label the data including units.
- Graph axes are appropriately labeled and scaled with informative and complete captions.
- The figure’s meaning is clear without requiring the reader to refer to the text.
- Details to include:
- Descriptive figure title for all figures.
- Figure caption with appropriate detail.
- Labels on gel lanes, bands, etc.
- DISCUSSION (40)
Conclusions based on the data selected (20)
- Conclusions are clearly and logically drawn from data provided.
- A logical chain of reasoning from hypothesis then to data and finally to conclusions is clearly and convincingly explained.
- Make sure to clearly define conclusions from all experiments. Tie it all together.
- Conclusions take limitations of the data into account.
Alternative explanations / Limitations of data (10)
- Alternative explanations include possible hypothetical outcomes that may support conclusions drawn.
- Alternative explanations may be modifications of the original hypothesis and present corresponding conclusions.
- Conclusions take limitations into account.
- Details to include:
- Use specific details on alternative explanation and limitations of the data, just saying human error is inappropriate.
- Think critically about what may have happened in our experiments.
- Use specific details on alternative explanation and limitations of the data, just saying human error is inappropriate.
Significance of research (10)
- Paper gives a clear indication of the significance of the research and its future directions
- Suggests work that would fill knowledge gaps and move the field forward.
- Writing quality (10)
- Spelling and use of grammar are mostly correct (you can still tell the meaning).
- Word usage makes reader’s understanding easier.
- A clear organizational strategy is present with a logical progression of ideas. The information is presented in an easy to read format.