Educational Materials

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

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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.

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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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Most molecules have a net charge within a pH range of 2 to 10. When the pH is altered, the net charge on molecules can change drastically. In this experiment, a mixture of two chemicals is absorbed onto a solid support ion-exchange column and separated during elution under conditions that influence their net charge.

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Students learn the basic principles of the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) using this precise and sensitive antibody-based detection kit.

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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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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 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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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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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.