248: Making signal transduction visible: A laboratory experiment for teaching bacterial signal transduction

Abstract: The BacTalk Cell Signaling Kit is a new laboratory activity developed by Bio-Rad that enables students to monitor and visualize a complete cell signaling pathway, from extracellular ligand release to a measurable bioluminescent response. This hands-on activity provides a tangible model for understanding signal transduction and bacterial communication. The activity was implemented with a small group of undergraduate biochemistry students. Students were surveyed to assess their perceptions of the activity, including its effectiveness in supporting conceptual understanding of cell signaling and engagement with course material. Survey results provided insight into student learning gains and attitudes toward the laboratory experience. In addition, the instructor will discuss lessons learned from implementation of the kit and practical considerations for classroom adoption.