Learning Labs:   Molecular Biology

DNA Fingerprinting: Forensics Investigation

Outline of the Unit

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, including the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and bioinformatics, involved in forensic investigations

Objectives:

Students will:

• run an agarose gel electrophoresis simulating a forensic lab investigation

• 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

Next: Forensics Lab

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