Table 1 Thematic analysis of final assignment reflections

From: Deconstructing synthetic biology across scales: a conceptual approach for training synthetic biologists

Statement category

Example quote

Respondents (n = 80)

New type of thinking (holistic/systemic)

I am now able to gain a holistic understanding of synthetic biology technologies by deconstructing them via the “scales” framework.

39%

31

Recognize challenges at the interface between scales

I have often found that when I get confused, it is usually because there is a scale interface challenge that I need to further deconstruct.

39%

31

Enthusiasm/enjoyment

It has made my scientific journey more enjoyable.

35%

28

Problem-solving/critical thinking/problem-identification

I am now able to identify how challenges at the interfaces of these scales affect the overall technology, as well as what strategies might be needed to resolve them.

34%

27

Importance of societal scale &/or ethical considerations

Now I know that not only is the societal scale important, but it interfaces closely and crucially with each and every other scale, and that not including societal impact in the development of a new technology is a mistake.

34%

27

Generic growth (i.e., better understanding of scales)

I went back and read my first assignment, and compared it to now, I could clearly see an improvement in the depth of my understanding of the scales framework.

33%

26

Helps facilitate reading syn bio papers/research

Reading research articles have become much less cumbersome.

31%

25

Application to career/future education

I am sure I will apply what I learnt in this class throughout the rest of my time in academia as well in other aspects of life.

29%

23

Syn bio is multi-disciplinary & collaborative

I have come to realize the immense collaboration that occurs within the synthetic biology field. The vast range of knowledge needed for creating one technology just shows how more research and development can occur when people of diverse backgrounds come together.

18%

14

Learning about/focusing on less familiar scales

I gained a lot more confidence with the smaller scales, which are not typically the focus of my discipline.

15%

12

Learning about/understanding technologies

[I learned] how using CRISPR Cas9 systems can enable the large-scale production of silk spidroins.

14%

11

Scales overlap/are not clearly delineated

One thing I struggled with is that not everything fits super easily into one or even two scales.

8%

6

  1. Respondents across three implementations of the course (80 total respondents; 23 students did not respond) were asked to reflect on their final projects. Specifically, students were asked “Compared to how you started at the beginning of the course, what do you now know about deconstructing synthetic biology solutions ‘along scales’? How has your thinking changed/developed?”. Using thematic analysis, answers were categorized by theme; the number of responses that fell into each category are shown.
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