Learning Labs: Molecular Biology
Learning Labs: Molecular Biology
The system of DNA identification used by the FBI requires polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of areas of human DNA in which a short 4-base long sequence is repeated over and over. Such sequences are called short tandem repeats or STRs. The FBI has named this system CODIS for Combined DNA Index System. The CODIS system of personal identification uses 13 STR loci in the human genome.An excellent overview of this system is found at www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/strbase/intro.htm. Details available on this web site include the primer sequences for all 13 CODIS STR sites.
This learning lab includes a simulation of the DNA electrophoresis that would be used to classify a pair of STR loci from crime scene and suspect DNA.
As part of the class visit, we also introduce students to bioinformatics and "in silico PCR" - a way of probing online GenBank sequences using the primers for CODIS loci.
Molecular Biology Labs at ScienceWorks for ME provide hands-on experience with DNA fingerprinting.
