Educational Materials

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Students can solve a crime using PCR. Plasmid DNA is provided that, when amplified by PCR, provides products that represent individual DNA profiles.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Ready-to-Load™ kit to show how electrophoresis separates molecules on the basis of size and charge.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Coronary heart disease and stroke are major causes of death in the Western world. Elevated blood cholesterol levels are a serious risk factor in both conditions. The genetic disease familial hypersholesterolemia (FH) causes an increase in blood levels of the bad form of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL). In untreated patients with the mutant FH gene, the condition can cause premature death. This experiment introduces the colorimetric enzymatic reaction which is the basis of the clinical cholesterol test. In addition, using agarose gel electrophoresis, students can analyse a simulated genetic screening for a disease.

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This experiment introduces chromatographic theory and methods of thin layer chromatography (TLC). A mixture of dyes are separated on a cellulose-based TLC plate using different solvent systems.

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This simulation experiment demonstrates the process of DNA amplification by PCR and how the amplified product is detected by separating the reaction mixture by agarose gel electrophoresis.

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In this experiment, students study the diversity of fish using pre-stained, lyophilised proteins. Total protein from perch, walleye and salmon is extracted and pre-stained using an indicator dye. Each fish protein sample has a characteristic banding pattern when separated by denaturing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, which can be used to identify the specific species.

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Kit for teaching students how to use a micropipette with ease and accuracy using multi-coloured dyes.

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In this experiment, students see a blue colour change in transformed cells due to the switching on of a gene. The pGAL plasmid gives a blue colour dye due to the production of the β-galactosidase protein by the lacZ gene. IPTG is not required in this experiment since pGAL contains the complete lacZ gene.

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The mitochondria are thought to have evolved from a symbiotic relationship between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria have their own DNA and are only inherited via the maternal line. In this experiment, students amplify two regions of their mitochondrial DNA.

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Basic concepts of DNA fingerprinting are featured in this Ready-to-Load™ kit by comparing crime scene DNA with suspect DNAs. Fingerprint patterns are separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and the students determine who may have commited the crime.

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In this experiment, students purify the restriction enzyme, Eco RI. This procedure utilised an ion exchange chromatograph step for Eco RI purification. Column fractions are assayed for the enzyme using Lambda DNA and digestion products are identified by gel electrophoresis. Fractions that contain Eco RI are identified and pooled. The total and specific activities are calculated. Recommended for advanced courses.

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Southern blotting is an important technique used widely in clinical genetics and research. By transferring DNA from an agarose gel onto a membrane the method allows the precise analysis and identification of DNA bands on a gel. Using this kit, students use Southern blotting to find a point mutation in the haemoglobin gene indicating Sickle Cell Anaemia.

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Bovine spongiform encephalophathy (BSE), also known as Mad Cow Disease, is a neurodegenerative, fatal condition in cattle. Consuming BSE-infected beef is believed to be the cause of a similar condition in humans, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. In this experiment, students examine simulated PCR products from several feed mills, to determine any possible violations of the ban on including animal parts in cattle feed.

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This experiment introduces a simple method to determine protein subunit molecular weights using horizontal electrophoresis. As the protein standards and 'unknowns' are prestained, the separation of proteins can be observed during electrophoresis. Included in the experiment is protein-grade agarose, which provides an alternative to the use of polyacrylamide gels.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

This experiment introduces chromatographic separation to the class and shows students how dyes of different colours separate on the basis of their size and shape. Columns may be rinsed and reused.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Ready-to-Load™ kit for teaching DNA fingerprinting and to show how DNA evidence is used in modern forensics. This experiment allows for varied results depending on the selection of DNA fingerprinting patterns.