DNA fingerprinting

A new module about DNA has been field tested with several classes of third year students at Liceo Fracastoro, Verona.

The module consists of a mixture of class work and laboratory work including extraction of DNA and a fingerprinting lab using the BioRad kit.

The fingerprinting lab requires electrophoresis equipment and considerable technical support for the organisation of the laboratory experience in the preparation of gels, equipment and reagents required. We found that even for eight groups of students, we could do two runs per gel and half an hour was sufficient to get a good resolution.

The laboratory experience was integrated with class sessions on lexis and functional language to ensure that the experimental protocol was covered and understood before the laboratory session as well as a session in the informatics laboratory to introduce the program Avogadro for viewing molecular models of DNA and base pairs.

Many thanks to Claudia for her excellent technical support and to Daniela, Francesca and Claudia for their enthusiasm for the project. I'd also like to thank Miriam for the discussions around materials and help in the lab.