Educational Materials

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According to the World Health Organisation, between two and three million cases of skin cancer occur globally every year. Many of these cases are caused by preventable damage to DNA by UV light. In this experiment, students expose plasmid DNA to shortwave UV light to simulate the effect of sunbathing. The DNA is then analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis to observe the damage.

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Cancer cells differ from normal cells by the combinations of proteins that are present on their surfaces. Antibodies against these proteins will specifically bind to cancer cells and not to normal cells. This allows early detection of cancer and potentially a way of delivering cancer therapies. In this simulation experiment the reaction of cancer cell markers and their corresponding antigens are demonstrated.

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Oil spills cause devastation to the environment, killing sea life, birds, and coastal plants. Spraying areas of contamination with oil-eating microbes accelerates the degradation of the oil. This process is known as bioremediation. In this open-ended experiment, students grow a mixture of oil-eating bacteria and observe their effectiveness at degrading a variety of oils.

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When normal cells are grown in culture they stop growing when they become overcrowded (contact inhibition). Cancer cells in culture grow in an uncontrolled way because they have lost this property. This helps tumours to form in the body. In addition, many different cell types can be present in a single tumour. This experiment allows students to see the differences between normal and cancer cells in both their growth and cell types.

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The Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) from the jellyfish Aequorea victoria is used extensively in all areas of science. Many organisms have been transformed with the GFP gene, the gene responsible for bioluminescence in jellyfish. It has proven to be so useful that scientists have mutated it to produce Blue Fluorescent Protein (BFP). In this simple experiment, students transform bacteria either by GFP, BFP or both.

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This experiment uses PCR to amplify a small section of Lambda DNA via a 2-step process, saving valuable classroom time and allowing completion of the lab in one session.

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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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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.

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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.

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This Lab activity shows students what real chromosomal DNA Looks Like and allows them to explore the procedures involved in DNA extraction.

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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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Kit for teaching students how to extract and precipitate their own DNA. Students can transfer their DNA to a tube that can be used as a pendant on a necklace.

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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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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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Microarray technology allows scientists to screen large numbers of samples in one assay. This technology allows high-throughput screening of small samples and allows comparisons to be made between healthy and unhealthy tissues. In this experiment, students apply simulated DNA and RNA samples to a membrane to screen for positive and negative samples.

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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.