Lessons learned through listening to biology students during a transition to online learning in the wake of the COVID‐19 pandemic

During the Spring Semester of 2020, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) and the illnesses it caused (COVID‐19) led to widespread cancelling of on‐campus instruction at colleges and universities in the United States and other countries around the world. Response to the pandemic in university settings included a rapid and unexpected shift to online learning for faculty and students. The transition to teaching and learning online posed many challenges, and the experiences of students during this crisis may inform future planning for distance learning experiences during the ongoing pandemic and beyond. Herein, we discuss the experiences of first‐ and second‐year university students enrolled in a biology seminar course as their classes migrated to online environments. Drawing on reported student experiences and prior research and resources, we discuss the ways we will adjust our own teaching for future iterations of the course while offering recommendations for instructors tasked with teaching in online environments.     

Implementing team‐based learning in the life sciences: A case study in an online introductory level evolution and biodiversity course

Team‐Based Learning (TBL) is a pedagogical tool that has great potential to develop student engagement, accountability, and equity in the online classroom. TBL is rooted in evidence‐based educational theories and practices that underlie many active learning approaches such as self‐testing, team discussion, and application of knowledge. The use of these approaches is associated with better student performance, retention, and sense of belonging in the classroom, aspects that are often reported to be especially lacking in online courses. Here, we describe how we implemented TBL in a face‐to‐face and an online introductory level evolution and biodiversity course. We implemented TBL in the face‐to‐face course (~200 students) starting in 2018 and in the online course (~30 students) starting in the summer of 2019. We used several online applications to facilitate the transition to an online platform such as Simbio, Slack, VoiceThread, Articulate 360, and Teammates. Our experiences using TBL approaches in the online course have been rewarding, and students are engaged and accountable for their learning and performed well in the course. Our goal is to provide an example of how we designed a life science course using TBL approaches and transitioned the course to an online environment. With the current switch to remote instruction and online learning, we recommend the use of TBL as a course design approach that can improve the students’ online learning experience.     

An at‐home laboratory in plant biology designed to engage students in the process of science

The COVID‐19 pandemic prompted a transition to remote delivery of courses that lack immersive hands‐on research experiences for undergraduate science students, resulting in a scientific research skills gap. In this report, we present an option for an inclusive and authentic, hands‐on research experience that all students can perform off‐campus. Biology students in a semester‐long (13 weeks) sophomore plant physiology course participated in an at‐home laboratory designed to study the impacts of nitrogen addition on growth rates and root nodulation by wild nitrogen‐fixing Rhizobia in Pisum sativum (Pea) plants. This undergraduate research experience, piloted in the fall semester of 2020 in a class with 90 students, was created to help participants learn and practice scientific research skills during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Specifically, the learning outcomes associated with this at‐home research experience were: (1) generate a testable hypothesis, (2) design an experiment to test the hypothesis, (3) explain the importance of biological replication, (4) perform meaningful statistical analyses using R, and (5) compose a research paper to effectively communicate findings to a general biology audience. Students were provided with an at‐home laboratory kit containing the required materials and reagents, which were chosen to be accessible and affordable in case students were unable to access our laboratory kit. Students were guided through all aspects of research, including hypothesis generation, data collection, and data analysis, with video tutorials and live virtual sessions. This at‐home laboratory provided students an opportunity to practice hands‐on research with the flexibility to collect and analyze their own data in a remote setting during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This, or similar laboratories, could also be used as part of distance learning biology courses.     

Decomposing Spatial β‐Diversity in the temperate forests of Northeastern China

β‐Diversity, which describes the extent of change in species composition in a given region, has become a core issue in ecology in recent years. However, it is hard to understand the underlying mechanisms of β‐diversity by using indices that yield identical values under species replacement and nestedness pattern. Partitioning β‐diversity into turnover (caused by species replacement among plots) and nestedness components (caused by species loss or gain among plots) may provide improved understanding of the variation in species composition. Here, we collected presence–absence data of 456 one‐tenth ha circular plots in the temperate forests of Northeastern China spanning a latitudinal range of 12° (41–53°N). We decomposed β‐diversity to assess the relative contribution of the turnover and nestedness components across latitudinal gradients. We used regression analysis to assess the relationship between spatial distance and β‐diversity. We applied variation partitioning to evaluate the importance of the measured environmental and spatial variables in explaining β‐diversity. We used the Tukey honest significant difference test to test the differences of β‐diversity along latitudinal gradients. Pearson correlations (r) and significance (p‐value) were computed using the Mantel tests to verify the relationship between distance and β‐diversity. The ANOVA test was used to verify whether the variation of β‐diversity explained by the environment and distance was significant. Our results showed that (1) β‐diversity and the turnover component were higher at low latitudes (zones A and B) than at high latitudes (zones C and D), while there was no relationship between the nestedness component and latitude. (2) The turnover component was dominant. (3) The spatial distance explained more variation of β‐diversity than the measured environmental factors. Therefore, we conclude that β‐diversity is mainly a product of species turnover in our temperate forests, suggesting that different localities harbor different species. We find that decomposing β‐diversity into the turnover and nestedness components is a useful approach to explore the variation of community composition and their causes.     

Undergraduates' perceptions on emergency remote learning in ecology in the post‐pandemic era

The COVID‐19 pandemic has strongly disrupted academic activities, particularly in disciplines with a strong empirical component among other reasons by limiting our mobility. It is thus essential to assess emergency remote teaching plans by surveying learners’ opinions and perceptions during these unusual circumstances. To achieve this aim, we conducted a survey during the spring semester of 2021 in an environmental science program to ascertain learners’ perceptions on online and onsite learning activities in ecology‐based modules. We were particularly interested not only in comparing the performance of these two types of activities but also in understanding the role played by learners’ perceptions about nature in shaping this pattern. Environmental science programs are rather heterogeneous from a conceptual point of view and, thus, learners may also be more diverse than in traditional ecology programs, which may affect their interest for ecology‐based modules. We assessed connectedness to nature by computing the reduced version of the Nature Relatedness Scale. Here, we found that online activities systematically obtained significantly lower scores than onsite activities regardless of the wording employed, and that altruistic behaviors were prevalent among learners. Interestingly, scores for both onsite and online activities were strongly influenced by learners’ connectedness to nature, as learners with a stronger connection to nature gave higher scores to both types of activities. Our results suggest that an effort to improve the efficacy of remote learning activities should be the focus of research about teaching methodologies in predominantly empirical scientific disciplines.     

Bioinspiration as a method of problem‐based STEM education: A case study with a class structured around the COVID‐19 crisis

Bioinspiration is a promising lens for biology instruction as it allows the instructor to focus on current issues, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. From social distancing to oxygen stress, organisms have been tackling pandemic‐related problems for millions of years. What can we learn from such diverse adaptations in our own applications? This review uses a seminar course on the COVID‐19 crisis to illustrate bioinspiration as an approach to teaching biology content. At the start of the class, students mind‐mapped the entire problem; this range of subproblems was used to structure the biology content throughout the entire class. Students came to individual classes with a brainstormed list of biological systems that could serve as inspiration for a particular problem (e.g., absorptive leaves in response to the problem of toilet paper shortages). After exploration of relevant biology content, discussion returned to the focal problem. Students dug deeper into the literature in a group project on mask design and biological systems relevant to filtration and transparency. This class structure was an engaging way for students to learn principles from ecology, evolution, behavior, and physiology. Challenges with this course design revolved around the interdisciplinary and creative nature of the structure; for instance, the knowledge of the participants was often stretched by engineering details. While the present class was focused on the COVID‐19 crisis, a course structured through a bioinspired approach can be applied to other focal problems, or subject areas, giving instructors a powerful method to deliver interdisciplinary content in an integrated and inquiry‐driven way.     

Development of a 3D‐printed single‐use separation chamber for use in mRNA‐based vaccine production with magnetic microparticles

Laboratory protocols using magnetic beads have gained importance in the purification of mRNA for vaccines. Here, the produced mRNA hybridizes specifically to oligo(dT)‐functionalized magnetic beads after cell lysis. The mRNA‐loaded magnetic beads can be selectively separated using a magnet. Subsequently, impurities are removed by washing steps and the mRNA is eluted. Magnetic separation is utilized in each step, using different buffers such as the lysis/binding buffer. To reduce the time required for purification of larger amounts of mRNA vaccine for clinical trials, high‐gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) is suitable. Thereby, magnetic beads are selectively retained in a flow‐through separation chamber. To meet the requirements of biopharmaceutical production, a disposable HGMS separation chamber with a certified material (United States Pharmacopeia Class VI) was developed which can be manufactured using 3D printing. Due to the special design, the filter matrix itself is not in contact with the product. The separation chamber was tested with suspensions of oligo(dT)‐functionalized Dynabeads MyOne loaded with synthetic mRNA. At a concentration of c_B = 1.6–2.1 g·L^–1 in lysis/binding buffer, these 1 μm magnetic particles are retained to more than 99.39% at volumetric flows of up to 150 mL·min^–1 with the developed SU‐HGMS separation chamber. When using the separation chamber with volumetric flow rates below 50 mL·min^–1, the retained particle mass is even more than 99.99%.     

Teaching an experiential field course via online participatory science projects: A COVID‐19 case study of a UC California Naturalist course

Experience and training in field work are critical components of undergraduate education in ecology, and many university courses incorporate field‐based or experiential components into the curriculum in order to provide students hands‐on experience. Due to the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the sudden shift to remote instruction in the spring of 2020, many instructors of such courses found themselves struggling to identify strategies for developing rigorous field activities that could be completed online, solo, and from a student''s backyard. This case study illustrates the process by which one field‐based course, a UC California Naturalist certification course offered at the University of California, Davis, transitioned to fully remote instruction. The transition relied on established, publicly available, online participatory science platforms (e.g., iNaturalist) to which the students contributed data and field observations remotely. Student feedback on the course and voluntary‐continued engagement with the participatory science platforms indicates that the student perspective of the experience was on par with previous traditional offerings of the course. This case study also includes topics and participatory science resources for consideration by faculty facing a similar transition from group field activities to remote, individual field‐based experiences.     

Vitamin D and COVID‐19: A review on the role of vitamin D in preventing and reducing the severity of COVID‐19 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a pathogenic coronavirus causing COVID‐19 infection. The interaction between the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein and the human receptor angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2, both of which contain several cysteine residues, is impacted by the disulfide‐thiol balance in the host cell. The host cell redox status is affected by oxidative stress due to the imbalance between the reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and antioxidants. Recent studies have shown that Vitamin D supplementation could reduce oxidative stress. It has also been proposed that vitamin D at physiological concentration has preventive effects on many viral infections, including COVID‐19. However, the molecular‐level picture of the interplay of vitamin D deficiency, oxidative stress, and the severity of COVID‐19 has remained unclear. Herein, we present a thorough review focusing on the possible molecular mechanism by which vitamin D could alter host cell redox status and block viral entry, thereby preventing COVID‐19 infection or reducing the severity of the disease.     

Molecular evidence suggesting the persistence of residual SARS‐CoV‐2 and immune responses in the placentas of pregnant patients recovered from COVID‐19

ObjectivesRecent studies have shown the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the tissues of clinically recovered patients and persistent immune symptoms in discharged patients for up to several months. Pregnant patients were shown to be a high‐risk group for COVID‐19. Based on these findings, we assessed SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid and protein retention in the placentas of pregnant women who had fully recovered from COVID‐19 and cytokine fluctuations in maternal and foetal tissues.Materials and MethodsRemnant SARS‐CoV‐2 in the term placenta was detected using nucleic acid amplification and immunohistochemical staining of the SARS‐CoV‐2 protein. The infiltration of CD14+ macrophages into the placental villi was detected by immunostaining. The cytokines in the placenta, maternal plasma, neonatal umbilical cord, cord blood and amniotic fluid specimens at delivery were profiled using the Luminex assay.ResultsResidual SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid and protein were detected in the term placentas of recovered pregnant women. The infiltration of CD14+ macrophages into the placental villi of the recovered pregnant women was higher than that in the controls. Furthermore, the cytokine levels in the placenta, maternal plasma, neonatal umbilical cord, cord blood and amniotic fluid specimens fluctuated significantly.ConclusionsOur study showed that SARS‐CoV‐2 nucleic acid (in one patient) and protein (in five patients) were present in the placentas of clinically recovered pregnant patients for more than 3 months after diagnosis. The immune responses induced by the virus may lead to prolonged and persistent symptoms in the maternal plasma, placenta, umbilical cord, cord blood and amniotic fluid.     

Dense cold‐water coral garden of Paragorgia johnsoni suggests the importance of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge for deep‐sea biodiversity

Mid‐ocean ridges generate a myriad of physical oceanographic processes that favor the supply of food and nutrients to suspension‐ and filter‐feeding organisms, such as cold‐water corals and deep‐sea sponges. However, the pioneering work conducted along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge failed to report the presence of large and dense living coral reefs, coral gardens, or sponge aggregations. Here, we describe the densest, near‐natural, and novel octocoral garden composed of large red and white colonies of Paragorgia johnsoni Gray, 1862 discovered at 545–595 m depth on the slopes of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, in the Azores region. This newly discovered octocoral garden is a good candidate for protection since it fits many of the FAO criteria that define what constitutes a Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem. The observations described here corroborate the existence of a close relationship between the octocoral structure and the ambient currents on ridge‐like topographies, providing new insights into the functioning of mid‐ocean ridges'' ecosystems. The ubiquitous presence of biogenic and geological topographies associated with mid‐ocean ridges, which could act as climate refugia, suggests their global importance for deep‐sea biodiversity. A better understanding of the processes involved is, therefore, required. Our observations may inspire future deep‐sea research initiatives to narrow existing knowledge gaps of biophysical connections with benthic fauna at small spatial scales along mid‐ocean ridges.     

A close‐up view of dynamic biomarkers in the setting of COVID‐19: Striking focus on cardiovascular system

Based on the recent reports, cardiovascular events encompass a large portion of the mortality caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic, which drawn cardiologists into the management of the admitted ill patients. Given that common laboratory values may provide key insights into the illness caused by the life‐threatening SARS‐CoV‐2 virus, it would be more helpful for screening, clinical management and on‐time therapeutic strategies. Commensurate with these issues, this review article aimed to discuss the dynamic changes of the common laboratory parameters during COVID‐19 and their association with cardiovascular diseases. Besides, the values that changed in the early stage of the disease were considered and monitored during the recovery process. The time required for returning biomarkers to basal levels was also discussed. Finally, of particular interest, we tended to abridge the latest updates regarding the cardiovascular biomarkers as prognostic and diagnostic criteria to determine the severity of COVID‐19.     

Degrees of compositional shift in tree communities vary along a gradient of temperature change rates over one decade: Application of an individual‐based temporal beta‐diversity concept

Temporal patterns in communities have gained widespread attention recently, to the extent that temporal changes in community composition are now termed “temporal beta‐diversity.” Previous studies of beta‐diversity have made use of two classes of dissimilarity indices: incidence‐based (e.g., Sørensen and Jaccard dissimilarity) and abundance‐based (e.g., Bray–Curtis and Ružička dissimilarity). However, in the context of temporal beta‐diversity, the persistence of identical individuals and turnover among other individuals within the same species over time have not been considered, despite the fact that both will affect compositional changes in communities. To address this issue, I propose new index concepts for beta‐diversity and the relative speed of compositional shifts in relation to individual turnover based on individual identity information. Individual‐based beta‐diversity indices are novel dissimilarity indices that consider individual identity information to quantitatively evaluate temporal change in individual turnover and community composition. I applied these new indices to individually tracked tree monitoring data in deciduous and evergreen broad‐leaved forests across the Japanese archipelago with the objective of quantifying the effect of climate change trends (i.e., rates of change in both annual mean temperature and annual precipitation) on individual turnover and compositional shifts at each site. A new index explored the relative contributions of mortality and recruitment processes to temporal changes in community composition. Clear patterns emerged showing that an increase in the temperature change rate facilitated the relative contribution of mortality components. The relative speed of compositional shift increased with increasing temperature change rates in deciduous forests but decreased with increasing warming rates in evergreen forests. These new concepts provide a way to identify novel and high‐resolution temporal patterns in communities.     

Kinetics and persistence of cellular and humoral immune responses to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine in healthcare workers with or without prior COVID‐19

SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines are highly efficient against severe forms of the disease, hospitalization and death. Nevertheless, insufficient protection against several circulating viral variants might suggest waning immunity and the need for an additional vaccine dose. We conducted a longitudinal study on the kinetics and persistence of immune responses in healthcare workers vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine with or without prior SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. No new infections were diagnosed during follow‐up. At 6 months, post‐vaccination or post‐infection, despite a downward trend in the level of anti‐S IgG antibodies, the neutralizing activity does not decrease significantly, remaining higher than 75% (85.14% for subjects with natural infection, 88.82% for vaccinated after prior infection and 78.37% for vaccinated only). In a live‐virus neutralization assay, the highest neutralization titres were present at baseline and at 6 months follow‐up in persons vaccinated after prior infection. Anti‐S IgA levels showed a significant descending trend in vaccinated subjects (p < 0.05) after 14 weeks. Cellular immune responses are present even in vaccinated participants with declining antibody levels (index ratio 1.1–3) or low neutralizing activity (30%–40%) at 6 months, although with lower T‐cell stimulation index (p = 0.046) and IFN‐γ secretion (p = 0.0007) compared to those with preserved humoral responses.     

Age‐specific habitat preference,carrying capacity,and landscape structure determine the response of population spatial variability to fishing‐driven age truncation

1. Understanding the mechanisms underlying spatial variability of exploited fish is critical for the sustainable management of fish stocks. Empirical studies suggest that size‐selective fishing can elevate fish population spatial variability (i.e., more heterogeneous distribution) through age truncation, making the population less resilient to changing environment. However, species differ in how their spatial variability responds to age truncation and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
2. We hypothesize that age‐specific habitat preference, together with environmental carrying capacity and landscape structure, determines the response of population spatial variability to fishing‐induced age truncation. To test these hypotheses, we design an individual‐based model of an age‐structured fish population on a two‐dimensional landscape under size‐selective fishing. Individual fish reproduces and survives, and moves between habitats according to age‐specific habitat preference and density‐dependent habitat selection.
3. Population spatial variability elevates with increasing age truncation, and the response is stronger for populations with stronger age‐specific habitat preference. On a gradient landscape, reducing carrying capacity elevates the relative importance of density dependence in habitat selection, which weakens the response of spatial variability to age truncation for populations with strong age‐specific habitat preference. On a fragmented landscape, both populations with strong and weak age‐specific habitat preferences are restricted at local optimal habitats, and reducing carrying capacity weakens the responses of spatial variability to age truncation for both populations.
4. Synthesis and applications. We demonstrate that to track and predict the changes in population spatial variability under exploitation, it is essential to consider the interactive effects of age‐specific habitat preference, carrying capacity, and landscape structure. To improve spatial management in fisheries, it is crucial to enhance empirical and theoretical developments in the methodology to quantify age‐specific habitat preference of marine fish, and to understand how climatic change influences carrying capacity and landscape continuity.

     

Structural and functional understanding of the toll‐like receptors

Recognition of invading pathogens by the innate immune system is essential to initiate antimicrobial responses and trigger adaptive immunity. This is largely mediated by an array of pattern‐recognition receptor families that are essential for recognizing conserved molecular motifs characteristic of pathogenic microbes. One such family is the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs). Activation of TLRs induces production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and type I interferons: the former triggers the synthesis of inflammatory mediators which cause fever, pain and other inflammation, and the latter mediates antiviral responses. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in structural elucidation of TLRs in higher eukaryotes. The TLR structures with and without agonist and antagonist have been revealed by X‐ray crystallography and cryo‐electron microscopy studies, demonstrating the activated dimer formation induced by the agonistic ligand and the inhibition mechanism of the antagonistic ligand. Intracellular assembled structures and the TLR‐chaperone complex are also reported. As the structural understanding of TLRs becomes better integrated with biochemical and immunological studies, a more comprehensive picture of their architectural and functional properties will emerge. This review summarizes recent advances in structural biological and mechanistic studies on TLRs.     

microRNA‐19b‐3p‐containing extracellular vesicles derived from macrophages promote the development of atherosclerosis by targeting JAZF1

Atherosclerosis has been regarded as a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the treatment of atherosclerosis has been increasingly reported. In this study, we set out to investigate the effect of macrophages‐derived EVs (M‐EVs) containing miR‐19b‐3p in the progression of atherosclerosis, with the involvement of JAZF1. Following isolation of EVs from macrophages, the M‐EVs were induced with ox‐low density lipoprotein (LDL) (ox‐LDL‐M‐EVs), and co‐cultured with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). RT‐qPCR and western blot assay were performed to determine the expression of miR‐19b‐3p and JAZF1 in M‐EVs and in VSMCs. Lentiviral infection was used to overexpress or knock down miR‐19b‐3p. EdU staining and scratch test were conducted to examine VSMC proliferation and migration. Dual‐luciferase gene reporter assay was performed to examine the relationship between miR‐19b‐3p and JAZF1. In order to explore the role of ox‐LDL‐M‐EVs carrying miR‐19b‐3p in atherosclerotic lesions in vivo, a mouse model of atherosclerosis was established through high‐fat diet induction. M‐EVs were internalized by VSMCs. VSMC migration and proliferation were promoted by ox‐LDL‐M‐EVs. miR‐19b‐3p displayed upregulation in ox‐LDL‐M‐EVs. miR‐19b‐3p was transferred by M‐EVs into VSMCs, thereby promoting VSMC migration and proliferation. mir‐19b‐3p targeted JAZF1 to decrease its expression in VSMCs. Atherosclerosis lesions were aggravated by ox‐LDL‐M‐EVs carrying miR‐19b‐3p in ApoE^−/− mice. Collectively, this study demonstrates that M‐EVs containing miR‐19b‐3p accelerate migration and promotion of VSMCs through targeting JAZF1, which promotes the development of atherosclerosis.     

Niche theory‐based modeling of assembly processes of viral communities in bats

Understanding the assembly processes of symbiont communities, including viromes and microbiomes, is important for improving predictions on symbionts’ biogeography and disease ecology. Here, we use phylogenetic, functional, and geographic filters to predict the similarity between symbiont communities, using as a test case the assembly process in viral communities of Mexican bats. We construct generalized linear models to predict viral community similarity, as measured by the Jaccard index, as a function of differences in host phylogeny, host functionality, and spatial co‐occurrence, evaluating the models using the Akaike information criterion. Two model classes are constructed: a “known” model, where virus–host relationships are based only on data reported in Mexico, and a “potential” model, where viral reports of all the Americas are used, but then applied only to bat species that are distributed in Mexico. Although the “known” model shows only weak dependence on any of the filters, the “potential” model highlights the importance of all three filter types—phylogeny, functional traits, and co‐occurrence—in the assemblage of viral communities. The differences between the “known” and “potential” models highlight the utility of modeling at different “scales” so as to compare and contrast known information at one scale to another one, where, for example, virus information associated with bats is much scarcer.     

Grass Gazers: Using citizen science as a tool to facilitate practical and online science learning for secondary school students during the COVID‐19 lockdown

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has impacted educational systems worldwide during 2020, including primary and secondary schooling. To enable students of a local secondary school in Brisbane, Queensland, to continue with their practical agricultural science learning and facilitate online learning, a “Grass Gazers” citizen science scoping project was designed and rapidly implemented as a collaboration between the school and a multidisciplinary university research group focused on pollen allergy. Here, we reflect on the process of developing and implementing this project from the perspective of the school and the university. A learning package including modules on pollen identification, tracking grass species, measuring field greenness, using a citizen science data entry platform, forensic palynology, as well as video guides, risk assessment and feedback forms were generated. Junior agriculture science students participated in the learning via online lessons and independent data collection in their own local neighborhood and/or school grounds situated within urban environments. The university research group and school coordinator, operating in their own distributed work environments, had to develop, source, adopt, and/or adapt material rapidly to meet the unique requirements of the project. The experience allowed two‐way knowledge exchange between the secondary and tertiary education sectors. Participating students were introduced to real‐world research and were able to engage in outdoor learning during a time when online, indoor, desk‐based learning dominated their studies. The unique context of restrictions imposed by the social isolation policies, as well as government Public Health and Department of Education directives, allowed the team to respond by adapting teaching and research activity to develop and trial learning modules and citizen science tools. The project provided a focus to motivate and connect teachers, academic staff, and school students during a difficult circumstance. Extension of this citizen project for the purposes of research and secondary school learning has the potential to offer ongoing benefits for grassland ecology data acquisition and student exposure to real‐world science.     

The SARS‐unique domain (SUD) of SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2 interacts with human Paip1 to enhance viral RNA translation

The ongoing outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) demonstrates the continuous threat of emerging coronaviruses (CoVs) to public health. SARS‐CoV‐2 and SARS‐CoV share an otherwise non‐conserved part of non‐structural protein 3 (Nsp3), therefore named as “SARS‐unique domain” (SUD). We previously found a yeast‐2‐hybrid screen interaction of the SARS‐CoV SUD with human poly(A)‐binding protein (PABP)‐interacting protein 1 (Paip1), a stimulator of protein translation. Here, we validate SARS‐CoV SUD:Paip1 interaction by size‐exclusion chromatography, split‐yellow fluorescent protein, and co‐immunoprecipitation assays, and confirm such interaction also between the corresponding domain of SARS‐CoV‐2 and Paip1. The three‐dimensional structure of the N‐terminal domain of SARS‐CoV SUD (“macrodomain II”, Mac2) in complex with the middle domain of Paip1, determined by X‐ray crystallography and small‐angle X‐ray scattering, provides insights into the structural determinants of the complex formation. In cellulo, SUD enhances synthesis of viral but not host proteins via binding to Paip1 in pBAC‐SARS‐CoV replicon‐transfected cells. We propose a possible mechanism for stimulation of viral translation by the SUD of SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2.