Supplier: G-Biosciences

This lab activity is designed to demonstrate the different classes of protein molecules and their classification based on solubility. Students learn fractionation of soluble, insoluble membrane proteins, and cytoskeleton proteins from a tissue sample. The insoluble protein fraction is further fractionated into hydrophilic and hydrophobic membrane proteins. Cell membrane structure and the role of hydrophobic membrane proteins are considered. This lab activity also provides an opportunity to understand characteristics of various classes of detergents and the role of detergents in solubilisation of hydrophobic membrane proteins.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

The physical properties of proteins kit is a lab activity that enables students to investigate the physical properties of several different proteins. Students will learn about protein solubility and how it is affected by various parameters; including temperature, pH, salt and dielectric constant. They will understand about protein precipitation due to pH, high salt and in the presence of organic solvents and about protein denaturation as a result of high temperature. In addition, the kit will demonstrate how non-protein agents, such as detergents drastically alter the physical properties of protein molecules and as a result, understand the importance of detergents in protein solubilisation. This lab activity involves analysis of three different types of pure proteins and then students alter some of those properties with a detergent and re-examine physical properties of those proteins. Students are challenged to consider how physical properties of protein molecules can be exploited for purification and characterisation of proteins and apply their findings on a test sample of complex tissue extract.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

Dot blotting is a simple technique to identify a known protein in a biological sample. The ease and simplicity of the technique makes dot blotting an ideal diagnostic tool.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Kit allows students to construct DNA models and then extract DNA from onions, strawberries or bananas.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Experiment using fluorescence and electrophoresis to solve the mystery of the invisible bands.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

This Ready-to-Load™ kit shows how a restriction enzyme can be used to screen DNA for Sickle Cell Anaemia.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Genetic testing can be used to identify people with a genetic condition which caused them to have an elevated level of cholesterol and which can be fatal. Students can see how genetic testing is carried out and learn about DNA electrophoresis.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

In this PCR experiment, students make billions of copies of a small amount of DNA in only 90 minutes. They just need to mix template DNA and primers with PCR beads that contain all of the other components required to carry out a PCR reaction. Students see the increasing amounts of DNA for themselves, taking samples every few cycles and analysing them on a DNA gel.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

In DNA fingerprinting, variable number tandem repeats (VNTR) are used to identify individuals. Using this kit, students type themselves at the D1S80 locus on chromosome 1. This region contains between 14 and 40 copies of a 16 base pair repeat.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Learn the basics of DNA sequencing and sequence homology with this lab activity.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

For learning about the diversity of proteins by studying the electrophoretic profiles of various sources. Students separate proteins from bacterial, plant, serum, and milk proteins alongside a standard protein marker.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Investigate how agarose gel electrophoresis unlocks the color code used by food scientists to make colorful candies.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

This simple experiment demonstrates detection of the mutation that causes Sickle Cell Anaemia. In this simulation, students use electrophoresis to separate dyes that represent patient samples and controls.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

In this experiment, students determine a pedigree for a family thought to be carriers of a mutation in their p53 genes. This is followed by a diagnostic agarose gel analysis to diagnose the state of the p53 gene in individual family members.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

DNA mapping is a common procedure used to determine the location of genes. In this experiment, DNA markers and pre-digested plasmid DNA fragments are mapped using agarose gel electrophoresis.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

The three most frequently used restriction enzymes are Eco RI, Bam HI and Hind III. Each enzyme catalyses cleavage at the defined base sequence. All enzymes are lyophilised and contain 1500 units. One unit is defined as the amount of enzyme required to digest 1,0 µg of lambda DNA in 60 minutes at 37 °C in a total reaction mixture of 50 µl.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

This experiment helps teach students about restriction enzyme digests in the context of forensic science. Students cut DNA with restriction enzymes and then compare the banding pattern of the crime scene DNA versus that of two suspects using agarose gel electrophoresis.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Milk proteins are the most common food allergens in children. Accurate detection and labeling is vital to inform consumers about potentially dangerous foods.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

This experiment presents a bioterrorism scenario, with students examining a simulated DNA fingerprinting test for the detection of smallpox.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

This kit is for teaching students how people's physical traits are a reflection of their genes. In this simulation, students use electrophoresis to separate dyes which represent genetic traits.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.