A pedagogical transformation at Puerto Padre Medical Sciences Branch
At the forefront of medical education, the Puerto Padre Medical Sciences Branch implemented a bold pedagogical model: Plan D (Dynamic Directed Didactics). This educational experiment transformed the teaching of Molecular Biology, a critical discipline for understanding diseases at the molecular level. By combining active methodologies with specialized mentoring, the plan sought to overcome historical challenges in academic performance in this complex subject. The results not only improved quantitative indicators but redefined students' relationship with science.
Molecular Biology requires integrating abstract concepts: from DNA replication to gene regulation in diseases. Plan D was based on three pillars:
Students designed microprojects on gene expression in cancer, replicating published methodologies 1 .
Adapting the model of Dr. Laura de Lorenzo, mentors guided weekly problem-solving 1 .
Replacing final exams with digital portfolios containing data analysis, experimental protocols, and explanatory videos.
"Learning Molecular Biology with Plan D was like switching from looking at a map to navigating the territory. Mistakes in the lab became lessons, not failures."
To measure Plan D's impact, a study compared two cohorts: traditional training vs. Plan D. The focal experiment was "Gene editing with CRISPR-Cas9 in HeLa cells".
| Metric | Traditional Group | Plan D Group |
|---|---|---|
| Editing efficiency (%) | 35 ± 8 | 68 ± 12 |
| Technical errors | 42% | 15% |
| Mechanism understanding (%) | 55 ± 10 | 89 ± 7 |
Plan D students not only achieved greater technical efficiency but demonstrated deep understanding by correlating sgRNA errors with off-target mutations 1 .
88% of students reported greater confidence in techniques like digital PCR, mass sequencing, and western blot.
| Reagent/Equipment | Function in Plan D | Practical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Educational CRISPR-Cas9 kit | Safe gene editing in reporter plasmids | GFP gene mutation in E. coli |
| SnapGene software | 3D visualization of DNA/proteins | Primer design for cloning |
| Confocal microscopy | Subcellular localization analysis | Study of fusion proteins in mitochondria |
| Moodle platform | Virtual tutoring with interactive labs | Real-time PCR simulation |
These tools democratized cutting-edge technologies, typically limited to research laboratories 1 .
Plan D's success lay in:
Adaptations for students with special needs, following the University of Zaragoza model .
Case studies like gene therapy in cystic fibrosis.
Advanced students mentoring novices, replicating the ASBMB model 1 .
Integrate artificial intelligence for personalized gene expression simulations, and internships at UNM-associated laboratories 1 .
Plan D demonstrated that Molecular Biology doesn't have to be an inevitable "filter course". By replacing memorization with guided experimentation and affective mentoring, Puerto Padre created a generation of professionals capable of innovating from the laboratory to the clinic. As Dr. de Lorenzo states: "Transformative education doesn't just change grades; it changes human trajectories."