Making creativity explicit: A workshop to foster creativity in biomedical science education.

Previously we identified that biomedical science students commonly misunderstand "creativity," mistaking it for "freedom." In the present study, we describe and evaluate a workshop designed to increase students' awareness of creativity as a highly sought-after employability skill and cognitive process applicable to scientific endeavors. To achieve this, we developed and introduced students to a process called the "Diamond Model," utilizing a case study to contextualize and signpost the creative processes of divergent and convergent thinking. This model was introduced to students in the first workshop of a 12-week undergraduate biochemistry unit (subject) within the Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University, Australia. Students completed pre- and post-workshop surveys to gauge the impact of the workshop on their conceptions of creativity and Bloom's taxonomy of learning. In addition, reflective journals were completed by a small subset of students (n = 9) following the workshop. Following the workshop, over 65% of students indicated that their conception of creativity had changed. Thematic analysis of students' survey responses and reflections indicated that this change in the conception of creativity included broadening their definition of creativity, increased awareness of creativity as a skill and science as a creative process, and that creativity can be applied to different areas of life. Students attributed the signposting of creative elements as a contributing factor to their increased awareness. These results indicate the positive impact the workshop and our novel Diamond model had on student conception of creativity, highlighting the importance of explicit communication and signposting in skill development.

Laboratory classes in biochemistry and molecular biology: A parallel session at the IUBMB/PSBMB 2019 "Harnessing Interdisciplinary Education in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" conference.

Laboratory classes are a central element of all biochemistry and molecular biology programs. These play a role in developing students' hands-on and technical skills and also offer much more. The design of laboratory classes depends on many factors including the programs the students are enrolled in, the level they are at, employment destinations, and learning outcomes. This conference session considered the design and outcomes of laboratory experiences for undergraduate students.

Correction to: Iron-free and iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin inhibit survivin expression and differentially modulate apoptosis in breast cancer.

After publication of the original article [1], the authors found that Fig. 3 contained an incorrect version of Fig. 3c. This does not affect the Figure legend, results and conclusions of the article.

Iron-free and iron-saturated bovine lactoferrin inhibit survivin expression and differentially modulate apoptosis in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Iron binding, naturally occurring protein bovine lactoferrin (bLf) has attracted attention as a safe anti-cancer agent capable of inducing apoptosis. Naturally, bLf exists partially saturated (15-20%) with Fe(3+) however, it has been demonstrated that manipulating the saturation state can enhance bLf's anti-cancer activities. METHODS: Apo-bLf (Fe(3+) free) and Fe-bLf (>90% Fe(3+) Saturated) were therefore, tested in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in terms of cytotoxicity, proliferation, migration and invasion. Annexin-V Fluos staining was also employed in addition to apoptotic protein arrays and Western blotting to determine the specific mechanism of bLf-induced apoptosis with a key focus on p53 and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP), specifically survivin. RESULTS: Apo-bLf induced significantly greater cytotoxicity and reduction in cell proliferation in both cancer cells showing a time and dose dependent effect. Importantly, no cytotoxicity was detected in normal MCF-10-2A cells. Both forms of bLf significantly reduced cell invasion in cancer cells. Key apoptotic molecules including p53, Bcl-2 family proteins, IAP members and their inhibitors were significantly modulated by both forms of bLf, though differentially in each cell line. Most interestingly, both Apo-bLf and Fe-bLf completely inhibited the expression of survivin protein (key IAP), after 48 h at 30 and 40 nM in cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: The capacity of these forms of bLf to target survivin expression and modulation of apoptosis demonstrates an exciting potential for bLf as an anti-cancer therapeutic in the existing void of survivin inhibitors, with a lack of successful inhibitors in the clinical management of cancer.

Lactoferrin and cancer in different cancer models.

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a multifunctional protein and an essential element of innate immunity. Cancer is a major killer in today's world accounting for around 13% of all deaths according to the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.). The five most common forms of cancer include lung, colorectal, stomach, liver and breast cancer. Lactoferrin is a natural forming iron-binding glycoprotein with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effects. It is produced in exocrine glands and is secreted in many external fluids as a first line of defence. Lactoferrin also has the capacity to induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in cancer cells as well as restore white and red blood cell levels after chemotherapy. This review focuses on the therapeutic effect bovine sourced lactoferrin has on various forms of cancer in various models. It also focuses on the benefits of 3D in vitro cell culture. 3D cell culture has vast advantages over 2D models including demonstration of realistic therapeutic results and heightened resistance that 2D models fail to display.