IMMUNOLOGICAL ASSAYS INTRODUCTORY · UPPER DIVISION ⏱ 3 HRS

Teaching molecular diagnostics in the context of COVID-19 lab tests

An jigsaw-based active learning module in which students investigate three COVID-19 diagnostic tests – PCR, antigen and antibody – to build a grounded understanding of molecular diagnostics and the immunological principles behind them.

OVERVIEW

What is this activity?

This activity introduces students to infectious disease and immune response by investigating three types of COVID-19 diagnostic tests — PCR, antigen, and antibody — each designed to detect different evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection: viral genetic material, viral proteins, or the body’s own antibodies produced in response to infection.

Using a jigsaw format, students choose one of three specialities — epidemiologist, infectious disease doctor, or immunologist — and complete a role-specific assignment either in class or as homework. Students first meet with others sharing their speciality, then regroup into mixed teams to discuss conclusions based on results from all three tests for a hypothetical patient. The activity is grounded in core concepts and competencies from Vision & Change, a national framework for undergraduate biology education.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this activity students will be able to:

Identify how knowledge of DNA replication can be used to detect the presence of COVID-19 genomes.
Distinguish viral genes that code for viral antigens (epitopes expressed in infected cells) from human genes that code for antibodies expressed by B cells
Describe how mutations in the viral genome sequence could lead to changes in the amino acid sequence of viral antigens
Recall that amino acid sequence influences protein structure
Describe how protein structure affects the specificity and outcome of antigen and antibody diagnostic tests

VISION AND CHANGE AND IMMUNOLOGY LEARNING FRAMEWORK

Alignment with core concepts and competencies

This activity is aligned with the Undergraduate Immunology Education Task Force recommended guidelines for core concepts and competencies.

Core Concepts

Information Flow, Exchange and Storage

Identify how knowledge of DNA replication can be used to detect the presence of COVID-19 genomes

Distinguish viral genes that code for viral antigens (epitopes expressed in infected cells) from human genes that code for antibodies expressed by B cells

Describe how mutations in the viral genome sequence could lead to changes in the amino acid sequence of viral antigens

Structure and Function

Recall that amino acid sequence influences protein structure

Describe how protein structure affects the specificity and outcome of antigen and antibody diagnostic tests

Core Competencies

Use quantitative reasoning

Draw meaningful conclusions from an immunology-related data set

Communicate and collaborate with other disciplines

Contribute within a team to move a task forward

ACTIVITY DETAILS

How it works

Step by step

Introduction (10 min)

Brief framing of molecular diagnostics and the three types of COVID-19 tests. Students select their speciality role.

Speciality assignment (45 min)

Students complete their role-based assignment as an epidemiologist, infectious disease doctor, or immunologist either in class or as homework.

Speciality conference (30 min)

Students meet with others who chose the same speciality to compare findings and consolidate understanding.

Mixed team discussion (45 min)

Teams with one representative from each speciality discuss conclusions using results from all three tests for a hypothetical patient.

Wrap-up (10 min)

Groups share key takeaways and instructor connects findings back to core immunological concepts.

At a glance

Course level	Introductory and upper division
Class size	Any
Format	In person
Time required	3 hours
Materials	Student worksheet, slides, role cards
Disciplines	Immunology, Cell Biology, Microbiology, Genetics

EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS

What the data showed

Institutions where this activity has been tested and validated

100%

Of institutions reported significant pre-to-post test improvements in student performance

“I really enjoyed this activity and found it genuinely helpful for learning how to interpret scientific data.”

— Undergraduate student

MATERIALS PREVIEW

What’s included

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Student handouts

🎭

Role cards

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Assessment questions

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Answer key

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Instructor notes

GET THE MATERIALS

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