Incorporating citizen science in the undergraduate STEM curricula provides students the opportunity to actively engage in the scientific process and contribute to the discovery of new evidence. This project involves infusing citizen science into the course curricula for an Introduction to Environmental Science (NCSU), Environmental Problems (NCCU) and Biotechnology (NCSU) course as a collaborative effort designed to survey both university campuses for Delftia using the gold gene sequence as an identifier. Delftia spp. are Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacteria formerly classified as Comamonas. Recently, Delftia acidovorans has gained fame for its ability to precipitate gold nanoparticles out of solution. The gene for gold precipitation is well-conserved across Delftia species and the genetic sequence can be used to identify Delftia from metagenomic samples. Students at both universities were tasked with collecting samples from various locations on both campuses as part of a class assignment to reveal genetic diversity in a portion of the “gold gene,” pointing to the potential presence of numerous new, unidentified Delftia strains. Students were assessed before and after participating in the project. Additionally, they were asked to provide feedback on their experience with the project.
Results/Conclusions
Previous work with samples from NCSU’s campus showed genetic diversity in a portion of the gold gene, revealing the potential presence of numerous new Delftia strains. Delftia was identified in several of the samples collected. This research engages students in interdisciplinary explorations of public science, further explores the presence and genetic diversity of Delftia, and seeks to understand the metagenomic environments in which Delftia live.