This project is in progress.
Developing an interest for web development, this project aims to join my interests: software development and genetics. This web application aims to teach undergraduate students principles of genetics with problem solving.
Currently, Inherit Logic contains two modules: Cricket and Mendelpede. Cricket focuses on teaching students about codons and frameshift mutations. Mendelpede focuses on transmission genetics. In both modules, students perform virtual experiments to learn the underlying genetics principles.
In Cricket, there are 10 different scenarios for students to go through. Students are given a starting set of phage strains and must plate them on E. coli to accomplish the scenario’s goal. While plating, random frameshift mutations may arise and different strains can be combined to create recombinant individuals.
In Mendelpede, students are given a starting set of “pedes” with 5 variable phenotypic characteristics. By performing crosses between different pedes, students need to identify the mode of inheritance for each trait and dominance. There are also quizzes for students to determine the genotype of a set of pedes so instructors can see how students are doing.
Cricket has been used successfully in two semesters of an advanced undergraduate genetics course at UGA. Mendelpede has beeen used for one semester in both a graduate and undergraduate course. Based on student feedback, students enjoyed using the software as an educational tool and liked the interface.
Built using the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express, Node.js, and Angular), this application is visually appealling. Where ever possible, standard practices in software engineering where used. Back end, front end, and underlying genetics are unit tested to ensure functional code as development continues.