SNP Lab First Draft
This material was originally developed as part of the
Carleton College Teaching Activity Collection through its collaboration with the SERC Pedagogic Service.
Initial Publication Date: May 2, 2007
Summary
This is an introductory biology laboratory exercise in which students isolate DNA from their cheek cells, amplify (using PCR) a region of DNA surrounding a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and perform RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis to determine which variant of the SNP they have.
CollapseLearning Goals
- Students will understand how PCR works.
- Students will learn how to use RFLP analysis to determine a person's genotype for a SNP.
Context for Use
This is a lab from an introductory biology course. The lab spans two lab sessions. Students should be able to pipet small volumes with reasonable sterile technique. A thermal cycler for PCR is required.
Description and Teaching Materials
The lab handout (Microsoft Word 58kB Apr17 07) for the students.
Teaching Notes and Tips
SNP TA Sheet Week 1 (Microsoft Word 36kB Apr24 07)SNP TA Sheet Week 2 (Microsoft Word 38kB Apr24 07)These are copies of the information sheets we provide to our instructors and TAs containing information about teaching the lab.
SNP Set Up Sheet Week 1 (Microsoft Word 57kB Apr23 07)SNP Set Up Sheet Week 2 (Microsoft Word 92kB Apr23 07)These are copies of the set-up sheets we use to prepare the lab.
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Assessment
We normally assess student understanding of this material on course exams.