OHIO professor Jennifer Hines Brings COVID-19 Drug Discovery to Online Environment for Innovative Learning

Before spring break, Chemistry & Biochemistry Professor Jennifer Hines told her Tier III Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery class that they would be discussing Anti-Proliferative Agents including Anti-Viral Agents after spring break.

In addition, in her tutorial with two Honors Tutorial College students, Hines was going to explore computational RNA Drug Discovery.

Despite and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, these classroom and tutorial topics have now turned into powerful online teachable moments.

In class, the students are using Blackboard’s Group Wiki tools to discuss molecular drug targets for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The HTC tutorial students are using the Ohio Supercomputer Center to investigate the three-dimensional structure of an RNA element that is important for SARS-CoV-2 replication. Using molecular modeling software at the OSC, they will dock drug molecules to the RNA to see if any existing drugs may potentially disrupt the RNA’s function and possibly be a treatment that could be rapidly developed for COVID-19.

“I am very impressed with how well the students have adapted to the shift to online learning. We’ve been using a mixture of ‘live’ video discussion meetings and asynchronous text-based chats to keep the discussions going along with recorded lecture videos. Their discussions, questions and ideas are really inspiring to hear and read,” says Hines.

“I really miss being able to have these conversations as a whole group in person, but this has been a growth opportunity for all of us, including me, about how to adapt and maximize technology to stay connected and learning,” Hines added.