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Structure, Isolation, and Function of DNA (B1)


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.

B1-1 Properties of DNA (View Individual Experiment)

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.

B1-2 Cell Fractionation and DNA Isolation (View Individual Experiment)

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.

B1-3 Gene Function and Cloning in Bacteria. (View Individual Experiment)

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.

Prices

Catalog # Price Description
B1 199.99

The Chemical Package for 16 students working in pairs plus 17 student manuals and one instructor manual.
B1-C 144.99

The Chemical Package for 16 students working in pairs plus one student manual and one instructor manual (The student manual may be reproduced for educational purposes.)
B1-SM 6.87

Sample Student Manual (27 pages) plus one instructor manual.


Basic Program 1 contains:

  • 19 Sterile Tubes
  • 8 Tube Racks
  • Nuclear Stain
  • *20 Petri Dishes
  • 8 Glass Vials
  • Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate
  • *24 Inoculating Loops
  • 8 Glass Rods
  • 2 Macropipetors
  • * Nuclear Buffer
  • Nutrient Agar + Ampicillin
  • *30 Sterile Transfer Pipets
  • *Plasmid DNA
  • Cheese Cloth
  • *Nutrient Broth
  • 10 Small Transfer Pipets
  • Calf Thymus DNA
  • *CaCl2
  • DNAse I
  • E. coli
  • Calf Thymus Tissue
  • Ampicillin


    • *Provided sterile and ready to use