Talk:2016 Group Project 6

Group Assessment Criteria   Science Student Projects The key points relating to the topic that your group allocated are clearly described. The choice of content, headings and sub-headings, diagrams, tables, graphs show a good understanding of the topic area. Content is correctly cited and referenced. The wiki has an element of teaching at a peer level using the student's own innovative diagrams, tables or figures and/or using interesting examples or explanations. Evidence of significant research relating to basic and applied sciences that goes beyond the formal teaching activities. Relates the topic and content of the Wiki entry to learning aims of embryology. Clearly reflects on editing/feedback from group peers and articulates how the Wiki could be improved (or not) based on peer comments/feedback. Demonstrates an ability to review own work when criticised in an open edited wiki format. Reflects on what was learned from the process of editing a peer's wiki. Evaluates own performance and that of group peers to give a rounded summary of this wiki process in terms of group effort and achievement. The content of the wiki should demonstrate to the reader that your group has researched adequately on this topic and covered the key areas necessary to inform your peers in their learning. Develops and edits the wiki entries in accordance with the above guidelines. More Information on Assessment Criteria | Science Student Projects

Signalling: 1 Wnt | 2 Notch | 3 FGF Receptor | 4 Hedgehog | 5 T-box | 6 TGF-Beta

Here are some starting places for the topic. Can be patterning, differentiation, etc. as long as a developmental signal process/pathway.

Molecular Development - Signaling Bookshelf Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Universal Mechanisms of Animal Development. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26825/ Cooper GM. The Cell: A Molecular Approach. 2nd edition. Sunderland (MA): Sinauer Associates; 2000. Signaling in Development and Differentiation. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9918/ Interactive Fly - Evolutionarily conserved developmental pathways PMID 12509752 PMID 19399989

Peer Review

Group 6:

Positive aspects of the project and suggested improvements:

The authors of group 6 have created a variety of subheadings related to the TGF-beta signalling pathway, including the nature of the growth factor, its mechanism of action, history and emerging research (criteria 1). Authors have also provided two diagrams related to TGF-beta signalling which reinforces the description of TGF signalling provided (criteria 2). These diagrams allow for a much simpler interpretation of the signalling process described and assist in teaching at the peer level (criteria 4). It appears that the authors are beginning to conduct investigations into new research surrounding TGF-beta signalling, thus indicating that they are attempting to research beyond formal teaching activities (criteria 5).

Whilst it is excellent that multiple subheadings have been provided, a possible improvement would be to include a much larger variety of subheadings which cover the scope of TGF-beta’s role in embryonic development, abnormalities, types of TGF receptors and animal models. This may allow audiences to understand the big picture surrounding this signalling pathway which will assist in the understanding of the information already provided. Another improvement to this page would be to include more images under different subheadings. One example would be to include an image or table showing the history of discovery surrounding discovery of this signalling pathway.

Negative aspects of the project and suggested improvements:

Although there were positive aspects of this project, there were also numerous negative aspects which may be improved. One key negative feature of the page was that the authors did not discuss the role of TGF-beta signalling in the context of embryonic development, hence meaning they failed to meet criteria 6. To ensure that this criterion is met, authors may conduct research into the involvement of TGF-beta in specific processes that occur during embryonic development, perhaps organ development and growth of different primitive structures. In addition, whilst the authors have provided a history of the TGF-beta signalling pathway, the history appears to be very brief. Thus an improvement which may be implemented would be to include a more extensive background regarding the history of discovery of the pathway. It was also noticed that no tables were utilised within the page. A possible improvement would be to include a table describing different abnormalities and their causes in the context of disruption of the TGF-beta pathway. A table may also be utilised to describe different subtypes of TGF-beta receptors as well as their functions during embryonic development. Tables may be utilised as they will assist in the process of teaching at the peer level (criteria 4), particularly because they convey information in an orderly and organised manner.

The authors of this project also failed to meet criteria 3, in that only one source was referenced in the process of the signalling pathway and also no in-text citations were provided. In addition, authors failed to reference the image file named, “Process of TGF-beta signalling pathway 01”. It is vital that all sources are referenced correctly in order to ensure that the copyright laws regarding the use of information are adhered to. The final negative aspect of the project was that the page did not flow very well, in that subheadings were arranged in a disorderly fashion. An example of this is the inclusion of the subheading labelled, “history of TGF-beta signalling pathway”, towards the end of the page. Since such a subheading provides a background surrounding the pathway, a possible improvement would be to include this subheading at the beginning of the page. By ensuring the orderliness of the page, this creates a sense of coherency between subheadings, thus making the page more appealing and engaging.

Group 6

It was good to see some progress being made on the project with the development of some subheadings and the inclusion of an image. In saying this, a better selection of headings and sub-headings could be developed to break down the topic of TGF beta signaling pathway. I think the sub-headings provided under the general heading of ‘Introduction’ could form the main headings of this research project and they could then be further broken down into various subheadings. In addition, the subheading of TGF-beta could be eliminated and this definition could be incorporated into the glossary or general introduction of the topic instead. Furthermore, more focus is needed on the influence of this pathway on embryological development and the abnormalities caused by mutations to the pathway and its components. For example, there has been mention of the effect of TGF-beta in ‘development of the embryo and adult organism, as well as cell growth, immune function and hormone secretion’ but further discussion has not been pursued.

Though a good description of the ‘process of TGF-beta signaling pathway’ has been provided, it could be further improved by referencing the images included in this section in your text (e.g. refer to Figure 1) to aid one’s understanding of the concept being explored. In addition, a timeline of events could be provided to explore the history of this pathway and it would be appropriate to begin with the discovery of TGF-beta. To a reader, information on ‘transformed or malignant cells’ seems unrelated to the TGF-beta signaling pathway even though it may be in fact be related, due to lack of discussion of this pathway or TGF-beta in this description. In regards to the section on ‘Limitations’, what types of limitations are you trying to explore? Limitations in research? This could be better defined by appropriately allocating subheadings to each of the sections.

Though you are heading in the right direction, spending time to produce a basic layout of your project by creating appropriate headings and subheadings would be useful in breaking down the concepts needed to be explored in this pathway. This could be achieved by communicating with group members through the discussion page and providing feedback and suggestions. In addition, greater focus is required in referencing and citing your work to ensure researchers and authors are acknowledged for their work. Also, by exploring animal models of the TGF-beta pathway and the effect of this research in understanding this pathway in humans and its influence on embryological development, you could greatly increase the quality of your work. You could also try and make your project more interactive and engaging through the inclusion of tables, images and diagrams. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Group 6 Critical Assessment

It is great to see an in-depth overview of the TGF beta Signalling pathway and it’s mechanism of action. The page is off to a great start and with a few key improvements it can turn into a successful one! Firstly, I like the use of images to aid the reader in understanding the content better should they be a visual learner. By reading the text on the way the pathway works, it is clear it is a complicated process hence a suggestion would be to add short clips/animations to simplify it for the viewer.

Under your introduction an attempt has been made to briefly highlight the main features of the pathway, however a negative of this section is that a lot of the content is basically listed. For example it is mentioned TGF-beta is part of a larger TGF superfamily comprising of different members such as activins and GDFs. Instead of listing, try presenting your information in a different format such as a table with s few columns stating the member, it’s function, and possibly what a mutation could lead to.

Additionally it is also stated that TGF beta has certain functions such as controlling angiogenesis however doesn’t expand on the ‘other’ functions it has. To turn this into a positive, dedicate different sections on how the pathway is involved in angiogenesis, hormone secretion, proliferation etc. If there are too many functions to fit onto the page, you could shift a few to your ‘Further Reading’ section as an option if the reader would like to explore further into the pathway’s functions, or construct a hidden table that the viewer can expand if they wish to.

In order to satisfy criteria 3, in text citations should be incorporated within text so the viewer has an option to access the article if they find the statement interesting. A reference list has been posted with a few references however ensure they are cited in the correct format. Overall a great start!