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Integrating Molecular Biology Into The Veterinary Curriculum
Integrating Molecular Biology Into The Veterinary Curriculum
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ABSTRACT
The modern discipline of molecular biology is gaining increasing relevance in the field of veterinary medicine. This trend
must be reflected in the curriculum if veterinarians are to capitalize on opportunities arising from this field and direct its
development toward their own goals as a profession. This review outlines current applications of molecular-based
technologies that are relevant to the veterinary profession. In addition, the current techniques and technologies employed
within the field of molecular biology are discussed. Difficulties associated with teaching a subject such as molecular biology
within a veterinary curriculum can be alleviated by effectively integrating molecular topics throughout the curriculum, pitching
the subject at an appropriate depth, and employing varied teaching methods throughout.
Detection of breed-specific Numerous diseases and traits in domestic species have a single-gene etiology.6, 7 Once a single-
single-gene disorders and traits gene disorder has been characterized, techniques such as PCR, RFLP, sequencing, and
microsatellite analyses can then be employed to determine whether an animal carries the
affected allele. Several of these single-gene traits/disorders have been identified in pedigree
animals, including dogs,8 cats,9 horses,10 cattle,11 pigs,12 and sheep.13 Owners can then take
this information into account when breeding. Various commercial companiesa–c offer services
that can detect the presence of a variety of single-gene disorders, including canine
leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD), polycystic kidney disease, and severe combined
immunodeficiency (SCID).
Pathogen detection The routine use of molecular-based methods for human pathogen detection has been
established for a number of pathogens in the clinical setting.14 A process of optimization,
validation, and interpretation of results against clinical criteria is required when introducing a
molecular test into the microbiology laboratory.15 The development of new molecular-based
assays in the veterinary clinical setting has lagged behind human medicine, as companies have
traditionally focused on developing assays and products tailored to human pathogen diagnostics.
Increasingly, commercial companies are beginning to offer DNA-based pathogen detection as a
service.d, e In addition to this some commercial companies, are beginning to invest in molecular-
based products directed toward the veterinary diagnostic market. Artusf supplies optimized PCR
kits that can be used for detection and quantification of pathogen load; these are available
for Campylobacter, L. monocytogenes, M. paratuberculosis, and Salmonella. Qiageng is now
promoting a range of products targeted at molecular diagnostics and research in veterinary
medicine.
Parentage testing Several companies offer parentage testing as a service.d, h DNA testing is available for a number
of species, including horses,16 dogs,17 and cats.18 These DNA tests not only provide information
relating to parentage but also serve as a unique genetic profile that can be used for
identification purposes.
Epidemiology Typing of pathogens is carried out using a range of molecular-based techniques, including
plasmid analysis, pulse field gel electrophoresis, and multilocus allelic sequence-based typing.19
Epidemiologically related isolates share the same DNA profile, whereas unrelated isolates display
patterns that are different from one another. These techniques allow investigators to trace the
transmission of pathogens that have a negative effect on both production and animal welfare.
Molecular-based typing also has a role in food safety, giving a better understanding of the
mechanisms by which food-borne pathogens are transmitted. Monitoring antimicrobial-resistant
strains such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 20 and other zoonotic diseases is
important from a public-health perspective.
Using animal models to under- A wide range of animal models is used to explore the etiology of human diseases.21–23 Animal
stand disease mechanisms models are a useful means of exploring disease states, as the ethical restrictions are less stringent
and therapeutics in human at a number of levels. Live-animal experiments, transgenic animals, breeding programs, and easy
medicine acquisition of tissue samples allow the completion of more comprehensive experiments than
could ever be contemplated in human medical research.
Animal cloning Of the 160 laboratories worldwide that carry out cloning experiments, 75% are working on
livestock, including cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep.24 Cloning technology’s current low success
rate, which is due to both technological and species-specific biological factors, 25 has hampered
its economic feasibility.26 It has potential uses in the many areas, including basic research,
generation of disease models, bioreactors, agricultural applications, and xenotransplantation.
Xenotransplantation Xenotransplantation has attracted considerable interest in recent years and is continually moving
closer to clinical application. This area of research is driven by the increasing demand for
replacement organs and the short supply of suitable donors. The prime candidate animal in this
field is the pig, which is most suitable in terms of breeding, rearing, cost, ethics, and anatomical
compatibility to humans as well as because of its physiological and biochemical characteristics.
The challenges in this area include graft rejection, acute inflammatory reactions, coagulation,
physiological incompatibilities, and the danger of zoonosis transmission. Genetic engineering of
donor animals has been seen as a way to overcome the challenges of acute rejection and
coagulation.27
(Continued )
Tailored pharmacology Pharmacogenetics explores variations in individuals’ responses to drug therapy based on their
genotype (data from multiple genes). In veterinary medicine, a certain level of knowledge exists
in this field, mainly relating to polymorphisms in single genes concerned with drug metabolism.28
Another example is the well-characterized adverse reaction to halothane anesthesia that occurs
in pigs carrying a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the ryanodine receptor.12 The
understanding of pharmacogenetics in human medicine is considerably more advanced, as
commercial interest is much greater. Current areas of interest in human medicine include cancer
therapy,29 treatment of mood disorders,30 responses to cholesterol-lowering drugs,31 and
variations in drug response between different ethnic groups.32
Quality-trait loci Quality-trait loci (QTL) are locations on the genome of genes or other genetic elements that
contribute to the expression of a quantitative trait.33 Quantitative traits show different degrees of
variation, depending on the trait, environmental factors, and the population in question.
Quantitative traits include production traits such as meat quality,34 wool quality,35 and milk
production;36 performance traits such as athletic performance;37 and non-production traits such
as body conformation.38 QTL relating to disease susceptibility, such as mastitis in cattle39 and
nematode resistance in sheep,40 are also of importance. All these traits are multifactorial, and
many can have low heritability, which has hindered any genetic gains resulting from conventional
selection and breeding.41 Efforts are underway to integrate QTL and phenotype data with
sequence and gene maps in a database form.42, i
Comparative genomics The comparison of genomes from different species, or comparative genomics, is now becoming
possible as the genomes of more and more species are uncovered. Comparative genomics will
give a greater insight into evolution, gene function, conserved regions, and non-coding DNA43
and is being employed as part of the functional annotation process.44
Higher organisms are com- Students may ‘‘know’’ this, but a true Cell signaling
posed of specialized, hetero- appreciation of the concept requires an Signal transduction
geneous populations of cells understanding of the areas listed in Receptors
that communicate with each column 3. Competence
other. Cell differentiation
Differential gene expression
Different cell types within an Students may ‘‘know’’ this, but a true Transcription
organism have differential pat- appreciation of this concept requires an Translation
terns of gene expression, understanding of some of the areas listed Gene regulation
despite possessing the same in column 3. Differentiation
genome. Real-time PCR
2D gel electrophoresis
Microarrays
Cell signaling
Protein metabolism, synthesis, An appreciation of this concept requires Amino acids
and secretion an understanding of the areas listed in Codons
column 3. Ribosomal, transfer, and messenger RNA
The area contains a number of pathways Protein metabolism
that have to be memorized. Protein storage and secretion
Students confuse digested protein with Properties of proteins
proteins that are synthesized by a cell. Post-translational modification
Hardy/Weinberg equilibrium Abstract Alleles
Phenotype/genotype
Genetic fitness
Epistatis
Inbreeding depression
Genetic drift
Evolution
Genetic linkage Abstract Genetic markers
Co-inheritance of undesirable traits with
selected traits in animals
Mendelian principles of Abstract Dominant/recessive alleles
inheritance Penetrance
Phenotype/genotype relationship
Inheritance patterns of single-gene
diseases and traits
Multigenic inheritance Abstract Additive effects of genes
Heritability
Quality-trait loci (QTL)
Selection and breeding strategies
Polymerase chain reaction Dynamic Chemical characteristics of DNA
(PCR) DNA replication and synthesis
Specificity of gene amplification
Applications of PCR
DNA sequencing Dynamic Chemical characteristics of DNA
DNA replication and synthesis
Applications of electrophoresis
Mitosis Complex chain of events Chemical characteristics of DNA
Often represented in an unrealistic way DNA replication and synthesis
Students confuse chromosome number Cell division for growth and replenishment
with the consequences of DNA replica- Regulation of the cell cycle
tion at metaphase. Neoplasia
Meiosis Complex chain of events Random segregation of genes
Confused with mitosis Aneuploidy
A link may not be established between Gametogenesis
the process and the consequences (see Genetic variation
column 3).
the discipline. Threshold concepts have been identified in a of molecular and cellular processes within the cell. These
number of disciplines (e.g., the ideas of entropy in physics new technologies have become increasingly accessible, cost
and of pain in medicine).50 Taylor51 highlights the difficulty effective, and accurate. Developments and innovations
of characterizing true threshold concepts within the within the computer and engineering industries have
biological sciences; rather, the real threshold concept relates increased in response to the increased demand for the
to the complex and idiosyncratic nature of biological instrumentation that supports molecular-biology methodol-
sciences. Biological knowledge is troublesome because of ogies; numerous tools and technologies are now available
the high degree of interrelatedness of biological systems, that investigate cellular processes at a molecular level (see
the large number of processes, the constant need to Table 355–66). Many of the technologies employed are
reevaluate learned material in the light of new material, complex and are operated by experienced personnel
and the numerous layers of abstraction at which material who become specialists in that particular technology.
can be viewed. Other techniques are technically less complex and can be
completed by personnel with less experience. The challenge
Learning in biology usually requires the devel-
for educators will be to decide how these essential
opment of a gradually increasing awareness
technologies should be presented to veterinary students in
and constant re-evaluation of the topics being
a way that allows them to envisage molecular tools and
studied. Truisms taught at early stages are
technologies as something real as well as allowing them to
re-examined as further layers of complexity
appreciate both the potential of the technology and relevant
within the topic require a new set of truths to
applications of such technologies in veterinary medicine.
be constructed.51
Many of the recently developed molecular technologies
These points relate strongly to the field of molecular biology, are conceptually and technically complex (see Table 3).
which, infinitely complex, underpins so many biological Approaches to teaching molecular biology to veterinary
disciplines and can be viewed at numerous levels of students must ensure that the subject is integrated with
abstraction. other veterinary subjects and that focus on the details of
Some aspects of molecular biology require students to apply complex techniques and technologies is kept to a minimum.
alternative metaphors or cognitive paradigms when trying With reference to medical education, Jamieson supports this
to understand the same topic from a different viewpoint. point by stating that
A key example of this phenomenon relates to the under- non clinical teaching staff must accept that
standing of genes. At the highest level of abstraction, genes medical students do not necessarily need to
are best viewed as particles or units (e.g., Mendelian know the depth and detail required by science
inheritance and Hardy/Weinberg equilibrium).52, 53 This students. The emphasis should be on learning of
conception of genes must change, however, when learning underlying principles, paradigms and clinically
about transcription and translation: genes must be viewed relevant examples.67
as having unique properties of their own, composed of
promoter regions, introns/exons, and codons. The student In contrast, life-sciences degree students may require a more
must also be capable of viewing genes as a molecular in-depth and hands-on approach to molecular biology
compound (DNA) if they are to understand its molecular technologies, as these are a key aspect of their vocational
structure and chemical properties and before they can grasp training.
the concepts of technologies such as PCR, DNA sequencing, If veterinary students become too immersed in the complex-
and gel electrophoresis. ity of techniques, they may miss their relevance. Many
In addition, the real-world relevance of molecular biology textbooks illustrate landmark experiments; students often
and its discussion in the public domain may result in some do not distinguish between the conclusion and the methods
students’ having misconceptions about the discipline that used to reach the conclusion, instead learning the material
may not concur fully with the understanding educators in a disconnected manner.68
wish to instill.54 Entwistle and Smith47 suggest that the Technologies such as microarrays and sequencing are
target understanding of genetics courses should build on or technically complex and expensive, have long preparation
challenge ‘‘intuitive genetics’’ (i.e., that which is understood times, and are currently not established as routine veter-
from everyday experience and the media) so that scientific inary diagnostic tools. They are, however, important
meaning extends students’ existing understanding and components within the discipline of molecular biology
relates it to their everyday lives. Efforts are currently and are widely used in different areas of research. It is
underway to validate a series of questionnaires, collectively important that veterinary students know of the existence of
called the Biology Concept Inventory (BCI), aimed at these technologies, understand the underlying principles
accurately assessing students’ comprehension of concepts behind them, and know how and when they can be applied.
in introductory genetics, cell biology, and molecular
Learning about molecular-biological techniques in the
biology.54
veterinary context poses another subtle problem that may
not be appreciated by lecturers familiar with the techniques.
The small volumes, nano-scale concentrations, and manip-
CHALLENGES IN DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING ulation of what are essentially large molecules can make the
OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES AND subject seem inconceivable to many students. While this
TECHNOLOGIES may not necessarily affect students’ theoretical understand-
Over the last 15 years substantial technological develop- ing, it can affect their appreciation of the technology
ments have taken place, enabling the detailed exploration as something tangible and relevant.
Polymerase chain Amplification of specific gene targets Used clinically and in research. This techni- Low Image of an ethidium bromide–stained gel,
reaction (PCR)55 que can be used to detect a specific DNA visualized under UV light
template or to provide starting materials for
further DNA analysis.
Restriction fragment Cutting DNA at specific sequence Used routinely in research; also used Low Image of an ethidium bromide–stained gel,
length polymorphism locations using restriction enzymes clinically. Can be used for rapid detectiong visualized under UV light
analysis of SNPs without DNA sequencing.
Agarose gel Separation of DNA or RNA on the This is one of the few ways that DNA and Low Image of an ethidium bromide–stained gel,
electrophoresis basis of size RNA can be visualized and, so it is used in visualized under UV light
all areas of molecular biology.
Real-time PCR56 Relative and absolute quantification of Applied in research as means of Low–Moderate Image of amplification plot Numerical
specific gene targets originating from exploring functional genomics and clinically data in the form of CT values
RNA or DNA in the determination of viral load, pathogen
detection, and therapy monitoring
Microsatelite analysis Determination of size of DNA Parentage testing Epidemiology Allele Moderate Image of fluorescently tagged PCR product
(GeneScanj) fragment (accurate to 1 base pair determination and co-migrating size marker Numerical
difference) by high-resolution data relating to size
polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Pulse field gel Separation of large DNA fragments Bacterial typing Moderate Image of an ethidium bromide–stained gel,
electrophoresis57 visualized under UV lightNumerical data
Bioinformatics58 Broadly encompasses the use of Analysis of sequence data, genome Variable (depends Sequence and numerical data
computational methods in the analysis data, macromolecular structure, and on complexity of
of biological data. The tools used to analyze gene-expression data. data and analysis)
different types of data range from relatively
simple algorithms to more complex
multivariate analysis techniques. Expression
data are analyzed using multivariate
statistical methods and have extended to
mathematical modeling, neural networks,
and genetic algorithms.59
(Continued )
663
664
Table 3: Continued
Technique Purpose Clinical and Research Applications Complexity Form of Data Generated
Automated DNA Determination of DNA sequence Used for research purposes; it can also be High Image of chromatogram
sequencing60 employed in diagnostics (i.e., to detect specific Sequence data
mutations)
Microarrays61 Detection of differentially expressed Generally only used in research at present, but High Image of Array
genes clinical applications are being explored Numerical data
Two-dimensional Separation of proteins based Generally only used in research at present, but High Image of gel
polyacrylamide gel on both iso-electric point and clinical applications are being explored
electrophoresis62 molecular weight
Matrix-assisted Provides accurate analysis of SNP genotyping Microsatellite typing Protein High Spectral data
laser desorption/ the molecular weight and structure characterization
ionisation of bio-molecules
time-of-flight
(MALDI TOF)63
Flow cytometry64 Separation and characterization of cells Has both clinical and research applications High Numerical data
65
Pyrosequencing Typing of SNPs and scoring haplotypes Has both clinical and research applications High Sequence data
RNA Selective disruption of distinct mRNA Defines gene function in vivo by knocking out High Phenotypic analysis of cell or
interference66 transcripts or reducing gene expression at the organism function
post-transcriptional level; has applications
in reverse genetics and therapeutics
JVME 34(5) ß 2007 AAVMC
GENETIC DATABASES AND BIO-INFORMATICS NCBI’s repertoire of databases reflects the increasing
Sequence information is now integrated with related interest in domestic species. The availability of whole
information, including gene and protein structure, con- genome sequences for many different species is, and will
served domains, and publications relevant to that continue to be, an important resource contributing to
sequence.69 Bio-informatics databases such as PubMedk comparative mapping initiatives, informing human medi-
are now the main source of molecular-biological informa- cine, and improving animal health and production.71
tion for graduate students.70
The automation of sequencing means that sequence data are APPROACHES TO TEACHING
being generated at an exponential rate. As of April 2006, It is reasonable to assume that veterinary educators will
there were over 130 billion bases in GenBank and RefSeq.k differ in their approach to basic science education depend-
Databases such as those curated by the National Centre for ing on whether they themselves work predominantly in a
Biotechnology (NCBI) and the European Molecular Biology clinical or in a basic science environment. With regard to
Laboratory (EMBL) provide platforms for placing sequen- medical education, basic scientists may emphasize concep-
cing and genome data in the public domain (see Table 4). tual coherence over clinical application and favor teaching
the basic sciences in more depth;78 it is felt that basic
Over the last decade the major sequencing projects (see scientists do not feel fully confident in deciding the level of
Table 4) have focused primarily on the sequencing of human knowledge medical—or, indeed, veterinary—students need
genomes and those of model organisms such as mouse, at graduation and may not tailor their teaching to
E. coli, Drosophila melanogaster, and zebra fish. Subsequent emphasize clinical relevance, as they may not appreciate it
genome projects have followed in the footsteps of the fully themselves.78 Clinicians who are involved exclusively
Human Genome Project, employing the most successful in clinical practice may understandably feel unconnected
strategies and operating on a fraction of the budget.71 Large- with the basic sciences; hence, despite its relevance to their
scale sequencing projects are now extending their interest to area, they will be less likely to discuss a subject such as
a number of domestic species, including cattle,72 horses,73 molecular biology in great depth. The fact that molecular
pigs,74 cats,75 dogs,76 and sheep.77 The recent addition of biology is a rapidly evolving and growing discipline will
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA)k to the increasingly exacerbate this problem.
Table 4: Selected sequence and mapping databases, genome centers, and bioinformatics institutes
Online Resource Web Address Comments
National Centre for <www.ncbi.nih.gov> Established in 1988 as a national resource for molecular biology
Biotechnology Information information, NCBI creates public databases, conducts research in
(NCBI) computational biology, and develops software tools for analyzing
genome data.
European Molecular Biology <www.embl.org> EMBL’s mission is to conduct basic research in molecular biology; to
Laboratory (EMBL) provide essential services to scientists in its member states; to
provide high-level training to its staff, students, and visitors; to
develop new instrumentation for biological research; and ensure
technology transfer. These core functions are combined with
significant outreach activities in the areas of science and society
and training for science teachers.
DNA Databank of Japan (DDBJ) <www.ddbj.nig.ac.jp> DDBJ has been functioning as the international nucleotide sequence
database in collaboration with EBI/EMBL and NCBI/GenBank.
The Wellcome Trust Sanger <www.sanger.ac.uk> The Sanger Institute is a genome research institute primarily funded
Institute (WTSI) by the Wellcome Trust. Their purpose is to further the knowledge of
genomes, particularly through large-scale sequencing and analysis.
The Institute for Genomic <www.tigr.org> The Institute for Genomic Research (TIGR) is a non-profit center
Research (TIGR) dedicated to deciphering and analyzing genomes.
(J. Craig Venter Institute)
European Bioinformatics <www.ebi.ac.uk> The EBI is a center for research and services in bioinformatics. The
Institute (EBI) institute manages databases of biological data, including nucleic
acid, protein sequences, and macromolecular structures.
Ensembl <www.ensembl.org> Ensembl is a joint project between EMBL, the EBI, and the WTSI to
develop a software system that produces and maintains automatic
annotation on selected eukaryotic genomes.
Expert Protein Analysis <www.expasy.ch> The ExPASy proteomics server from the Swiss Institute of
System (ExPASy) Bioinformatics (SIB) is dedicated to molecular biology with an
emphasis on data relevant to proteins.
Number of students
these teaching methods are considered superior to more- 10
teaching focused approaches, such as lectures, but require
greater effort and resources.81 8
8
ALTERNATIVE REPRESENTATIONS OF MOLECULAR
6
BIOLOGY INFORMATION
In view of the conceptual challenges the discipline of 4
molecular biology presents to students, a significant amount
of literature advocates the use of alternative representations 2
in teaching this subject.84–86 Molecular biology is a broad
0
and interconnected subject, and many processes within it
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
are dynamic. Students need to appreciate the interconnect-
edness of molecular biology as well as knowing all its parts. Score (Visual)
This process takes time and will be more difficult for those
studying at undergraduate level, who have not yet formed a
Figure 4: The distribution of scores from first-year
global picture in their minds. Providing students with visual veterinary students (N ¼ 75) for the Visual learning
overviews and concept maps87, 88 can help them visualize style on the visual/verbal dimension, as determined
the interrelatedness of molecular biological topics; this is by Felder’s Learning Styles questionnaire.l Students
particularly useful for students that have a strongly scoring above 5 show a preference for a visual
Wholist89 or Global90 learning style (see Figure 3). learning style.
The World Wide Web is a useful educational recourse for DNA-extraction practical. The format of the scrapie prac-
molecular biology and genetics topics.95 Numerous free- tical places less emphasis on technique and more on the
ware applications available online can be used to illustrate application of molecular biology to clinical practice, and
molecular biological techniques, including PCR, sequen- thus could prove much more useful for conducting a
cing, and sub-cellular processes such as transcription and molecular biology–based practical class in the veterinary
translation (see Table 5). The breadth of information that the curriculum.
Web gives students is extensive; this resource should be
used with caution, as it may encourage unproductive
browsing and students may encounter material that is VERTICAL INTEGRATION OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY IN
beyond the scope of what is being taught at the time.96 THE VETERINARY CURRICULUM
Accreditation bodiesm–o have ensured that cell biology and
molecular biology are included in the veterinary curriculum
PRACTICALS as a core subject at accredited institutions. The content and
Practicals are widely employed in science education to delivery of courses is at the discretion of the institution
illustrate theoretical information.97 Practicals in molecular itself, and molecular biology is mainly taught as a discrete
biology can be difficult to conduct in any setting, as many of module or unit in the pre-clinical curriculum. Considering
the techniques involved are too complex, time consuming, the relevance of molecular biology to so many areas of the
and expensive. Simpler techniques such as DNA extrac- veterinary curriculum, relatively little guidance is given on
tions, PCR, and RFLP can be incorporated into a practical how to effectively incorporate this non-clinical subject into
setting, but, like many molecular biological experiments, the veterinary curriculum.
they may not be very visual and will have long preparation McCrorie100 comments that vertical integration in medical
and incubation times.98 Many veterinary students may find curricula is largely unidirectional. Clinical topics are
the technical aspects of molecular biology uninteresting and integrated in the early years, when the basic sciences are
irrelevant to their vocational training. Allowing students to principally taught, but efforts to reintroduce the basic
interpret simplified outputs (see Table 3) from various sciences later in the curriculum are less actively driven as
technologies based on experiments relevant to veterinary the course content acquires a more clinical slant.
practice is an inexpensive and relatively easy way of Coordinated vertical integration of molecular-biology
familiarizing them with the techniques and allowing them topics is essential if veterinary students are to maximize
to appreciate their relevance. To date, little research has been their understanding of molecular biology and realize its
carried out to confirm the educational merit of practicals; applicability to clinical veterinary medicine. Nickerson101
however, research undertaken on a cohort of veterinary describes ‘‘understanding’’ as an active process that
medical students has illustrated that deep learning correlated connects factual information, relates newly acquired infor-
with high ratings for practical classes as a teaching mation, and weaves this knowledge into a cohesive whole.
method.46 Further to this, two practicals—(1) DNA extrac- This process takes time. Reintroducing molecular biology at
tion and visualization and (2) scrapie genotyping—were relevant points during the curriculum will not only
evaluated98 in the context of students’ approaches to reinforce the information already learned but also give
study.99 The scrapie-genotyping practical was rated higher veterinary students time to reflect on previously studied
and had a stronger association with deep learning than the material while reevaluating it in the context of greater
Achieving vertical integration of a non-clinical subject such Veterinarians’ current role in food safety and the traceability
as molecular biology demands a coordinated effort from of zoonotic disease will be better facilitated by tools that
teaching staff in relevant disciplines in all years. To permit the rapid identification and characterization of
determine how and at what level molecular biology learning pathogens ‘‘in the field.’’ Rapid surveillance will be vital if
materials should be incorporated at each stage of the antibiotic use is to be reduced.114
curriculum requires coordination and communication Transgenic technologies, which have the potential to confer
between educators in the pre-clinical and clinical years. new characteristics on existing species and even result in the
This goal can be achieved only through a conscious creation of new species or breeds, may increase as a result of
commitment. consumer demand. Veterinarians will play a role in advising
on the health and welfare of these animals as well as
treating them. Cloning technologies, if improved, could
HOW MIGHT THE VETERINARIAN OF 2025 BE enable the conservation of rare,115 commercially valuable,24
APPLYING MOLECULAR BIOLOGY? or even extinct or endangered species,115 a scenario that will
The veterinarians of 2025 could have a new range of also generate unique clinical challenges for veterinarians.
molecular-based diagnostic tools at their disposal and, as a New areas of understanding (e.g., small interfering RNA,66
profession, may have new roles beyond the ones they copy-number variation,116 and epigenetic variation117) are
currently play. However, concerns exist about the small continually being uncovered in the field of molecular
numbers of veterinarians attracted to biomedical biology. This new understanding may also significantly
research,104, 105 as well as about the lack of non-clinical affect diagnostics, treatment, and breeding strategies in
veterinary role models teaching in current veterinary some as yet unforeseen way.
program.3 The profession’s ability to capitalize fully on
these new technologies will depend as much on how the
profession broadens its own horizons as on the existence of
SUMMARY
the technologies in the wider arena.
Molecular biology is increasingly affecting veterinary
If veterinary diagnostics follows current trends in medical medicine, a trend that needs to be reflected on the veterinary
diagnostics, techniques such as PCR and real-time PCR will curriculum. Effective incorporation of a non-clinical subject
increasingly be employed as routine methods of pathogen such as molecular biology onto the veterinary curriculum
detection,106, 107 SNP analysis,108 cancer diagnostics,109 and needs to be addressed in a way that maximizes under-
quantification of viral load.110 This technology will improve standing of the discipline without overloading students
the speed of both diagnosis and treatment. Microarray with unnecessary detail. The central concepts within
technologies will not only help to characterize disease states molecular biology and its applications to veterinary med-
but also provide information on the optimal course of icine should be emphasized. Effective vertical integration
treatment.111 The applications of molecular-based imaging will facilitate the teaching of molecular biology topics in the
techniques will also evolve in the clinical arena, giving the light of students’ understanding at the time, building on
veterinarian a greater depth of clinical information beyond and reinforcing their existing knowledge and illustrating its
that currently available.112 applications in context. Effective communication among
those contributing to molecular-biology education at differ-
One area that should significantly affect veterinarians will
ent stages of the curriculum is essential if a global learning
be the availability of data relating to the genome, proteome,
outcome is to be defined and implemented.
and transcriptome of most species. By 2025, these data
should be better annotated, and clearer phenotypic relation- Educators also need to be sympathetic to the learning
ships established. Veterinarians may increasingly need to challenges that molecular biology presents to veterinary
advise clients on genetic screening tests, which, in the students. In light of these particular challenges, a wide
future, could possibly involve the screening of multiple range of teaching methods and alternative representations