This program is used to explore some of the major concepts and techniques that have revolutionized the biological sciences during the past two decades. Without the use of hazardous chemicals, students obtain an introduction and practical experience with the structure and isolation of DNA, cell fractionation, and gene cloning procedures..

Experiments:                                                         

Spooling Mammalian DNA

The DNA molecule from a single human chromosome is about 4 cm long and the length of DNA in an individual is about 200 times the distance from the earth to the sun. Isolated DNA in a test tube is also a long, stiff molecule. When alcohol is added to a DNA solution, the DNA fibers precipitate and can be spooled onto a glass rod. This feature of DNA is illustrated in the exercise, which provides enough purified DNA for 16 students working in pairs to perform the experiment. The spooling phenomenon is also used by the student to study the double-stranded nature of DNA and to investigate the effect of breaking DNA into small pieces with the enzyme DNAse. Ethyl alcohol (90-100%) is needed but not provided. This exercise is now available as an individual unit (Click Here.)

Students isolate nuclei from calf thymus tissue and examine them microscopically. The DNA is then extracted from the nuclei by a simple procedure that uses a detergent and alcohol. Microscopes and a small centrifuge are desirable but not absolutely necessary for the exercise. This exercise is now available as an individual unit. Click Here for more details.

3. Gene Function and Cloning in Bacteria

Occasionally, E. coli cells are found in nature that are resistant to the toxic effects of the antibiotic ampicillin. In this exercise, students create such an ampicillin-resistant population of E. coli by introducing into bacterial cells a plasmid that contains an ampicillin-resistance gene. Sufficient sterile materials are supplied for sixteen platings. The introduction of plasmid DNA into bacterial cells is called transformation and has enabled scientists to obtain large quantities of more than 1000 genes including those for human interferon, insulin, and growth hormone. This exercise requires minimal teacher preparation and provides a laboratory experience with one of the most important techniques used in gene-cloning studies. This exercise is now available as an individual unit. Click Here for more information.

Contents of the Chemical Package (Click Here)

Price List - Basic Laboratory Program 1