Learning Labs:   Molecular Biology

Goals:

to demonstrate how an understanding of DNA molecular structure and function can lead to technological advances that benefit society

to introduce students to the biotechnology involved in DNA based testing for genetic disease including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and bioinformatics

Objectives:

Students will:

prepare and electrophorese an agarose gel, simulating a genetic screening test for cystic fibrosis (CF)

review their knowledge of DNA molecular structure and expand their understanding through a discussion of exons, introns, and intergenic DNA, PCR, and bioinformatics

Target audience: Biology and Advanced Placement Biology students

Length of presentation:2.5 hours

Maine Performance Indicators: This lab aligns with the following Maine performance indicators: A1, C2-5, D1, J1-3, K1-6, L1-3,7 and 8, M1,3, and 4, and is allied with Advanced Placement Biology Labs #2 and # 6.

Next: Cystic fibrosis screening lab