Materiale didattico

Supplier: EDVOTEK

In this kit, a set of multi-coloured links demonstate a variety of molecular biology simulations. Students learn about digesting DNA with restriction enzymes, cloning genes in plasmids, protein structure, and more.

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

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

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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

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

The second assay used to confirm a positive HIV ELISA result is the Western blot. Using this kit, students separate protein samples from hypothetical patients on agarose gels. The proteins are then transferred to a membrane and simulated HIV proteins are detected.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

This experiment introduces students to the use of DNA fingerprinting in a simulated paternity determination. A child's DNA fingerprint is compared with his parents.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

The body defends itself from attack by infectious agents like bacteria and viruses by producing antibodies. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) test for antibodies present in the blood, which indicate infection. In this experiment, students perform a simulated ELISA test to identify infected samples and compare them to control samples.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

When bacteria are used to make medicinally useful proteins by transformation, the protein of interest must be separated from all of the other cellular proteins. In this experiment, the unique fluorescent properties of GFP and BFP are used as an assay during their purification from an E. coli extract. The column fractions containing GFP or BFP are identified by fluorescence and then purified. As an optional activity, purified protein fractions can be separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to estimate the purity and size of the GFP and BFP proteins.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

Four experimental modules are combined into one experiment to provide a comprehensive biotechnology exploration focusing on the green fluorescent protein (GFP). Bacterial cells are transformed to express the GFP. The transformed cells are then grown and the GFP purified by column chromatography. Finally, the purity of the protein fractions are analysed by SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

According to the World Health Organisation, between 2 and 3 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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.

Supplier: EDVOTEK

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.