jAMVLE, A new integrated molecular visualization learning environment*.

A new computer-based molecular visualization tool has been developed for teaching, and learning, molecular structure. This java-based jmol Amalgamated Molecular Visualization Learning Environment (jAMVLE) is platform-independent, integrated, and interactive. It has an overall graphical user interface that is intuitive and easy to use. The application can be downloaded free from the internet at wabri.org.au/jamvle. A cohort of 28 third year undergraduate molecular biotechnology degree students evaluated the new application through an essay-style project. These were analyzed to identify themes expressed by students in the content of their evaluations. Most students were positive about the new jAMVLE learning environment, and five major benefits emerged from the analysis. In particular, the students perceived that jAMVLE has an appealing interface, is interactive, provides a useful integrated environment, is user friendly, and is an excellent learning tool. Overall, students found that the jAMVLE application stimulated their interest, was a more active learning environment, provided better guidance, and made learning fun.

Predictive mutational bioinformatic analysis of variation in the skin and wool associated corneodesmosin (CDSN) gene in sheep.

Corneodesmosin (CDSN) is an important component of the desmosome in the epidermal cornified stratum and inner root sheath of hair follicles. DNA from a sheep BAC clone previously identified by us to contain CDSN was PCR amplified using cattle-derived primers and the product sequenced. A region of 4579 bp containing CDSN was shown to contain two exons separated by one intron and spanning 3683 bp. The DNA encodes a predicted protein of 546 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis shows that sheep CDSN falls within a clade containing cattle and other ruminant-like species. Comparison of sequences generated from 12 unrelated merino sheep and the International Sheep Genome Consortium (ISGC) data identified 58 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 4579 bp region of which 16 are contained within coding sequences (1 in 80 bp). The SNPs identified in this study will add to the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) SNP panel, which will allow extensive haplotyping of the sheep MHC in future studies.