Inquiry-based experiments for large-scale introduction to PCR and restriction enzyme digests.

ABSTRACT: Polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease digest are important techniques that should be included in all Biochemistry and Molecular Biology laboratory curriculums. These techniques are frequently taught at an advanced level, requiring many hours of student and faculty time. Here we present two inquiry-based experiments that are designed for introductory laboratory courses and combine both techniques. In both approaches, students must determine the identity of an unknown DNA sequence, either a gene sequence or a primer sequence, based on a combination of PCR product size and restriction digest pattern. The experimental design is flexible, and can be adapted based on available instructor preparation time and resources, and both approaches can accommodate large numbers of student

SUBMITTER: Johanson KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4715704 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature