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Abstract Background With the demand for more effective and engaging teaching strategies in higher education, there is an imperative to blend traditional and innovative methods to optimize student learning outcomes. To address this educational need, this study sets out to design and evaluate a hybrid learning approach that integrates a flipped classroom based on working process systematization (termed “W + flipped classroom”) teaching design with blended online and offline methods based on the BOPPPS (bridge-in, objective/outcome, preassessment, participatory learning, post assessment, summary, termed “B + BOPPPS”) teaching model and explore its application effects in the field of biological separation engineering. Methods The undergraduate class of 2020 majoring in biomedical engineering from Huanghuai University was designated the control group (n = 74), while the undergraduate class of 2021 was chosen as the experimental group (n = 79). The control group received traditional teaching methods. The experimental group adopted the integrated “W + flipped classroom” and B + BOPPPS teaching models. After the conclusion of the teaching period, comparisons were made between the two groups in terms of course objective achievement, academic performance, and critical thinking skills. A survey was distributed to assess learning effectiveness. Semistructured interviews were conducted with teachers and students from the experimental group to evaluate teaching effectiveness. Results The integrated “W + flipped classroom” and B + BOPPPS teaching models significantly improved the academic performance and critical thinking skills of the experimental group. The teaching evaluation revealed high levels of acceptance among both teachers and students, along with improved satisfaction with the teaching methodology. Conclusion The integration of the “W + flipped classroom” teaching design with the “B + BOPPPS” teaching model provides a scientific foundation for future teaching reforms. This study serves as a valuable reference for implementing the OBE philosophy, enhancing learning outcomes, achieving engineering education accreditation, and cultivating high-quality applied talents in the field of bioengineering at applied universities.

To investigate the germination physiological mechanism of Paris polyphylla seeds, different stages of the germination process were divided based on the seed embryo morphology and the changing rules in endogenous hormone content and related enzyme activities were analyzed at different stages. The results were as follows: (1) The germination process of the seeds could be divided into eight stages based on seed embryo morphology: non-germinating embryo stage (S1), heart-shaped embryo stage (S2), embryo swelling stage (S3), radicle not breaking through seed coat stage (S4), cotyledon petiole elongation and radicle breaking through seed coat stages (S5), lower hypocotyl breaking through seed coat stage (S6), upper hypocotyl elongation stage (S7), and radicle elongation stage (S8). (2) The α-amylase activity in the seeds was significantly higher than β-amylase activity at all germination stages. (3) Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was the highest at stage S5 and the lowest at stage S1; peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities generally increased with seed germination progress; soluble protein content initially decreased and then increased with seed germination progress. (4) The contents of hormones such as indoleacetic acid (IAA), gibberellin (GA3), abscisic acid (ABA), and salicylic acid (SA) decreased overall, while 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), jasmonic acid (JA), brassinolides (BRs) increased overall during seed germination. Cytokinins (CTKs) content showed no significant change. The ratios of IAA/ABA and GA3/ABA decreased initially and then increased, while CTKs/ABA continuously increased with seed germination progress. (5) The contents of ABA, IAA, GA3 were negatively correlated with embryo rate, while ACC, JA, BRs, POD, CAT, and β-amylase activity were positively correlated with embryo rate. In conclusion, the germination process of the seeds can be subdivided into eight stages based on seed embryo morphology, with varying endogenous hormone content and related enzyme activities at different stages. The activities of α-amylase and POD may be related to radicle elongation, while GA3 may affect the embryo formation, and ABA may inhibit the growth and development of the embryo.

Auxin inactivation is critical for plant growth and development. To develop plant growth regulators functioning in auxin inactivation pathway, we performed a phenotype-based chemical screen in Arabidopsis and identified a chemical, nalacin, that partially mimicked the effects of auxin. Genetic, pharmacological, and biochemical approaches demonstrated that nalacin exerts its auxin-like activities by inhibiting indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) conjugation that is mediated by Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) acyl acid amido synthetases. The crystal structure of Arabidopsis GH3.6 in complex with D4 (a derivative of nalacin) together with docking simulation analysis revealed the molecular basis of the inhibition of group II GH3 by nalacin. Sequence alignment analysis indicated broad bioactivities of nalacin and D4 as inhibitors of GH3s in vascular plants, which were confirmed, at least, in tomato and rice. In summary, our work identifies nalacin as a potent inhibitor of IAA conjugation mediated by group II GH3 that plays versatile roles in hormone-regulated plant development and has potential applications in both basic research and agriculture.

Summary: In Arabidopsis, copper (Cu) transport to the ethylene receptor ETR1 mediated using RAN1, a Cu transporter located at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and Cu homeostasis mediated using SPL7, the key Cu‐responsive transcription factor, are two deeply conserved vital processes. However, whether and how the two processes interact to regulate plant development remain elusive. We found that its C‐terminal transmembrane domain (TMD) anchors SPL7 to the ER, resulting in dual compartmentalisation of the transcription factor. Immunoprecipitation coupled mass spectrometry, yeast‐two‐hybrid assay, luciferase complementation imaging and subcellular co‐localisation analyses indicate that SPL7 interacts with RAN1 at the ER via the TMD. Genetic analysis revealed that the ethylene‐induced triple response was significantly compromised in the spl7 mutant, a phenotype rescuable by RAN1 overexpression but not by SPL7 without the TMD. The genetic interaction was corroborated by molecular analysis showing that SPL7 modulates RAN1 abundance in a TMD‐dependent manner. Moreover, SPL7 is feedback regulated by ethylene signalling via EIN3, which binds the SPL7 promoter and represses its transcription. These results demonstrate that ER‐anchored SPL7 constitutes a cellular mechanism to regulate RAN1 in ethylene signalling and lay the foundation for investigating how Cu homeostasis conditions ethylene sensitivity in the developmental context.