Education Corner

BioStInE is an interactive self-training platform in structural biology designed for Master’s students and researchers (Figure 1). It is available in French and in English.

Introduction

Structural biology is an inherently interdisciplinary field, combining biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. Mastery of complex and diverse concepts is required. BioStInE is aimed at researchers and students who are seeking to acquire the operational skills necessary for a research project. The platform offers a flexible, modular format comprising quizzes and targeted videos that adapt to students' varying levels of knowledge in this complex field. It provides a customized roadmap to help users master the fundamentals of structural biology for their own research projects.

We developed the BioStInE (Integrative Structural Biology–Education) project following the Voyage au cœur du vivant avec des rayons X: la cristallographie (Journey to the Heart of Life with X-Rays: Crystallography) MOOC, which was available on FUN-MOOC from 2017 to 2022. MOOC sessions highlighted two major limitations of this platform: the time constraint imposed by the broadcast period of a MOOC; and uniform content that did not account for the diversity of participant profiles.

Our objectives with the BioStInE platform are:

1. To provide tailored training that adapts to each individual’s initial profile;
2. To enable autonomous training, available anytime and anywhere;
3. To offer comprehensive basic knowledge in structural biology for all.

1. Tailored Training Adapted to Each Individual’s Profile

BioStInE’s methodology is built around an adaptive learning approach to promote autonomy and efficiency in learning:

Personalized Learning Through Assessment: The platform includes a diagnostic evaluation system consisting of quizzes before each teaching module. This mechanism is not penalizing, but rather, intends to provide orientation. First, students are tested on their background knowledge related to the course content. (Figure 2).
Targeted Content Correction: Based on quiz results, each student identifies the training modules they need. The goal is to ensure that study time is focused on addressing identified gaps, which significantly improves efficiency for learners with diverse backgrounds.
Final Evaluation: A serious game is currently in development for more detailed evaluation.

2. Autonomous Training, Available Anytime and Anywhere

After each quiz, students are given links to videos that address any gaps identified during the quiz. BioStInE's teaching approach relies entirely on video support to help make abstract concepts more concrete. Videos enriched with animations or filmed in laboratories bridge the gap between abstraction and concrete understanding.

Most videos are available on the Voyage au Cœur du Vivant YouTube Channel (Figure 3). For biological crystallography, videos are sourced from the MOOC Voyage au cœur du vivant avec des rayons X: la cristallographie. These are regularly supplemented with new videos on other structural biology methods (NMR, Cryo-EM, SAXS) and biological sample preparation. Some NMR videos also originate from the MOOC Basics of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance by the University of Lille.

Since the teaching materials are permanently available, the combination of self-assessment and self-regulation enables each student to identify their gaps, target their needs, build their learning path, and progress at their own pace. This approach supports deep learning and allows students to revisit specific topics as needed, such as working on a new scientific project.

 

3. Comprehensive Foundations in Structural Biology for All

BioStInE is based on the idea that one does not need to be a specialist in crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), or three-dimensional (3D) structure prediction to make informed choices when faced with a structural biology challenge. However, a solid understanding of the fundamentals is essential to selecting the appropriate method for determining a molecule's three-dimensional structure and choosing the right approach for sample preparation, if needed.

The homepage of the website (Figure 4) explains the purpose and navigation of the platform.

The page containing all the courses (https://www.biostine.fr/courses/) is divided into three main sections:

1. Fundamentals, which include:
1. Historical aspects of each method;
2. General introductions to methods, macromolecules, the concept of 3D structure and 3D structure visualization;
3. Theoretical basis of the Fourier transforms and correlation coefficients.
2. Prerequisites, primarily concerning biological sample preparation:
1. Knowledge of the sample;
2. Choice of an expression system;
3. Practical implementation of sample preparation, including laboratory visits.
3. Methods, covering both the theoretical aspects and the concrete applications of sample preparation (experimental methods), data acquisition and analysis and interpretation:
1. Crystallography;
2. Nuclear magnetic resonance;
3. Cryo-electron microscopy;
4. In silico approaches;
5. Complementary experimental methods.

Some videos are very general and cover all experimental methods (Figure 5a). Others are genuine tutorials, such as those for processing diffraction data with the XDS software (Figure 5b), preparing electron microscopy grids (Figure 5c) and using the ChimeraX visualization software (Figure 5d). The videos are licensed under Creative Commons, which allows anyone to use them freely as needed.

At the end of each course group, we provide a 'For Further Learning' tab containing additional links to other training resources.

Ongoing developments

The website is currently available in two languages: English and French. Users can switch between languages by clicking on the flag in the main menu.

Most of the videos are originally in French and are currently being dubbed into English.

We are preparing a final evaluation in the form of a serious game, in which participants must save the world by eliminating a mutation that turns humans into zombies.

Conclusion

BioStInE is a collective effort involving many expert scientists in the relevant fields. The site is under constant development. We have set up a contact form in the hope that participants will get in touch with questions, additional information or contributions to the ongoing development of this platform.