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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.

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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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An infectious outbreak requires prompt and accurate identification of the biological agent. Often, early clinical symptoms are first identified in exposed individuals and then infectious agents are identified by lab tests. In this experiment, students transmit a simulated infectious agent (chemical dye) between classmates which is only visible under long UV light. The pattern of transmission and primary source is documented.

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When DNA is subcloned in the pUC polylinker region, β-galactosidase production is interrupted, resulting in the inability of cells to hydrolyse X-Gal. This results in the production of white colonies amongst a background of blue colonies. This experiment provides a DNA fragment together with a linear plasmid and T4 DNA ligase. Following the ligation to synthesis the recombinant plasmid, competent E. coli cells are transformed and the number of recombinant antibiotic-resistant white and blue colonies are counted. β-galactosidase activity is assayed from blue and white bacterial cells.

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This experiment introduces students to Southern blotting as a tool for DNA fingerprinting in a hypothetical paternity determination. DNA fragments are first separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, then transferred to a nylon membrane and finally visualised by staining.

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Infectious mononucleosis is commonly known as the 'kissing disease'. The causative agent is Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which can be transmitted through saliva during kissing. In this experiment, students search for the presence of EBV using the ELISA reaction to detect specific viral proteins.

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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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Drinking water is routinely tested for contamination. If a screening tests positive, more sophisticated tests are required. One such test uses PCR in multiplex format. In this experiment, students test for the presence of three separate, classroom-safe organisms in a water sample using a single PCR reaction.

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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.

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Infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses can spread rapidly through a population and cause widespready disease and death. In this experiment, students use coloured solutions to simulate the spreading of a disease in the classroom.

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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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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.

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Observe the differences between mammalian cell types and how these cells funciton. Cells are fixed on microscope slides and students stain the cells on the slide to view morphological characteristics of the cell types. These cells are very safe for classroom use.

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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.

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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: G-Biosciences

Following restriction enzyme digestion of DNA molecules, researchers need to rejoin the ends of the DNA to generate recombinant DNA, a process known as ligation. Ligation of DNA is achieved with the bacterial enzyme T4 DNA ligase, which catalyses the formation of phosphodiester bonds. The DNA Ligation kit teaches students about ligation as they ligate several DNA fragments together to make larger pieces of DNA that are easily identified by agarose electrophoresis.

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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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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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With this kit, students sample water and air and then grow any microbes present overnight. A safe and simple way to teach pollution.

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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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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: G-Biosciences

Dialysis is a routinely used technique in research laboratories to 'change' the solution a biomolecule is dissolved in. Often the buffers used to isolate biomolecules, such as proteins, are not compatible with downstream applications due to high concentrations of reagents, such as salts. A sample is placed in a bag with a semi-permeable membrane and then placed in the new solution or water. Small molecules, such as salt, can pass through the membrane, moving from an area of high concentration to low concentration. The larger molecules, such as proteins, are retained in the bag. Microdialysis is a modification of dialysis to overcome the problem of dialysing small volumes of precious samples. Microdialysis uses small devices designed for small volumes. This kit allows students to study dialysis using patented microdialysis devices.

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Safe drinking water is vitally important to health. Both pathogenic and harmless bacteria can be found in the guts of mammals and birds. Testing water for every possible type of pathogenic bacteria is slow and costly. Thus, water is tested for a characteristic type of gut bacteria - the coliforms - including the familiar E. coli. Presence of coliforms is an indicator for faecal contamination. In this experiment, students test for coliforms in simulated contaminated water using colour and fluorescent reagents. They can use these same reagents to test water samples from the environment. As an extension activity, a Gram Stain test can be performed on the collected samples.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

In this lab activity, students learn to perform simple protein isolation procedures to isolate the protein fingerprint from various fresh tissues. They will compare the protein fingerprints of four different tissues to understand that the function of a particular organ is due to the proteins that are localised to the specific organ. Also included in this kit are four dried protein samples (from mouse liver, brain, heart and lungs) to compare as a control, if fresh tissues cannot be obtained.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

The Affinity Chromatography kit teaches the basic principle of affinity chromatography utilising highly specific affinity columns. This lab activity involves preparation of a crude protein extract and running affinity exchange chromatography for isolation of a protein.

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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.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

A hands on lab activity to study immunoaffinity chromatography and use a specific antibody to purify antigenic proteins from complex samples. This technique involves performing a chromatography procedure using antigen or antibody immobilised on a chromatographic resin. The solution containing antigen or antibody is passed through the column, which specifically and efficiently captures antibodies (antigen). The captured molecules are eluted from the column as a pure fraction. In this lab activity, students perform immunoaffinity chromatography and learn how this method is utilised in research laboratories.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

This lab activity involves analysis of an enzyme reaction using a specific enzyme substrate and inhibitor. Students study how the rate of enzyme reaction is dependent on substrate concentration and the influence of agents (inhibitors) and conditions that affects the enzyme reaction such as pH and temperature.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

Using the Protein Electrophoresis kit, students will learn the principles of various types of electrophoresis, including denaturing and non-denaturing electrophoresis, and how this powerful technique is used to analyse proteins. The kit will introduce students to the different separation matrices currently in use and will understand their differing separation properties and their role in protein analysis. Students have an option of casting their own electrophoresis gels using polyacrylamide or using pre-cast commercially available gels. This kit is provided with all of the reagents, buffers and supplies needed for casting acrylamide gels, preparing protein samples, running electrophoresis, and staining the gels for visualisation of protein bands. Test protein samples and protein standards are also provided.

Supplier: G-Biosciences

Bacterial conjugation is a naturally occurring process that allows the transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another, which allows the transfer of genetic traits, particularly drug resistance. The kit contains two bacteria with different drug resistance genes and all the tools for students to study bacterial conjugation. This kit teaches the difference between bacterial genomic DNA and the transferable plasmid DNA and the mechanisms of bacterial conjugation. Students will also learn important basic microbiological techniques, including bacterial growth in liquid broth and on solid agar plates, antibiotic selection of bacteria and important aseptic techniques.