Scientific methodology in biomolecular sciences Erasmus Project

Project Title

Scientific methodology in biomolecular sciences

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Agriculture, forestry and fisheries; Natural sciences; Pedagogy and didactics

Project Summary

The main goal of the project – Scientific methodology in Biomolecular Sciences – was to share knowledge and pedagogical experiences between schools in Portugal and Sweden based in Biomolecular Science thematic. The result was about as expected, namely that we promoted the interest of students for Biomolecular Science, improved their laboratory skills and competences and prepared them for the university level in a good manner.
The background of this project resulted from a previous exchange between the two schools concerning cooperation in science investigation – heavy metals in mackerel. The Biomolecular Science was the choice because it´s one of the most important and promising sciences for the 21st century.
The scientific project involved teachers; nature science students (Portugal and Sweden, aged 18-19 years old); PhD´s; University Professors and an eDNA analysis company. We worked together with international partners and universities, prepared and motivated the students for higher education in science. The level of the investigation and the dynamics involved in this project provided the students the ability to participate in laboratory activities at the universities and to communicate with each other in English. To a relatively large extent, the project succeeded in establishing a collaboration between universities and schools that promotes higher education in science.
The exchange moments between schools were highly appreciated, with curiosity and a good friendship atmosphere. The schools presented very rich and diverse activity programs and the students had lab classes to perform Biomolecular techniques such as DNA extraction, purification, amplification and electrophoresis. Those were crucial moments in the acquisition of technical skills.
The project was designed to contribute for a better knowledge of a world disease – Fasciolosis. In both countries, different freshwater snail species were identified as intermediate host of the liver parasite, Fasciola hepatica. Our main scientific goal was to search for other possible intermediate hosts species (as Physella acuta) besides the ones already known (Galba truncatula). The result that we received of the project will hopefully lead to further development and cooperation between the countries concerning DNA barcoding mapping and detecting species with eDNA technology.
Regarding the scientific part of the project, the Escola Secundária de Lagoa has not yet finished the investigation since it intends to consolidate some results in order to submit the study to the 28th National Competition for Young Scientists and Researchers. In this National Competition, the best projects are selected to compete in the National Science Exhibition and EUCYS 2020.
Right now, the 2 amplified genes (ITS-2 and COI) of the three studied species: Fasciola hepatica; Galba truncatula and Physella acuta, are sent for sequencing. The results of this stage will be decisive to complete the scientific part of the project.
The results of the project are fully related to the project’s priorities. The students, teachers and partner entities committed to work together so that everyone contributed to the success of a common investigation, what happened successfully. Despite some setbacks, which is normal in this type of international and long-term project, the work developed has enabled teachers and students to be trained in new scientific skills in an area in which none of the schools has been involved. For the level of secondary education, the scientific value of the results obtained from research on Fasciola hepatica, are innovative and promising and justify their dissemination at the national level (28th Young Scientist and investigators National Contest) later this year.
Concrete results to look for the parasitic liver fluke in freshwater snails were mainly achieved in the Azores. The main reason was that the Swedish part couldn´t find both species despite searching for them several times.
If the project results indicate that Physella may be a potential secondary host of Fasciola, that’s a new fact with a great social impact because it will increase the knowledge of the transmission of the parasite. However, it will be necessary to design new experimental activities to give strength to this discovery. The contribution of this public health study will benefit society in general and will be properly publicized.
The silent partners also showed interest in developing common projects. Between the Azores University and SLU was an interest in formalizing an Erasmus+ project regarding parasitology and between the Azores University and Aquabiota an eDNA project for marine invasive species identification.
Finally, during this period of Covid-19 Pandemic, the new equipment acquired under this project will be part of a database in the Azores so that it can be used in the Covid-19 tests if necessary. This project was in fact a major contribution to education and may be so for society in general!

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 31146 Eur

Project Coordinator

Örkelljunga Utbildningscentrum & Country: SE

Project Partners

• Escola Secundária de Lagoa