Description
Run PCR reactions using Taq polymerase produced and validated by your students!
Advanced—For experienced high school and college classes; requires some technical skill.
With this one-of-a-kind kit, students purify Taq polymerase, an enzyme used in polymerase chain reactions, from bacteria engineered to produce it, then test the enzyme’s activity by performing PCR with it. As students gain hands-on experience with PCR, they learn the same lab skills used in the biotechnology workplace. Each kit equips 24 students to produce and validate their own Taq polymerase. The kit also features additional resources to help teach PCR and support students, including a paper model activity simulating the first 2 cycles of PCR, a visual lab procedure complementing the written protocol, and information on the lab’s real-world connections to actual lab techniques and careers. PCR has revolutionized modern biotechnology—this kit pushes that revolution one step farther by allowing students to create the essential reagent needed to run their PCR setups.
Product Features
- Students perform amplification only.
- Kit includes the perishable materials when it is shipped.
- Materials are designed for 24 students working in groups of 3; however, each student will produce and validate their own Taq polymerase.
- Included paper model activity simulates cycles of polymerase chain reactions.
- Complete visual lab procedure complements written protocol.
- Resource section connects the kit activities to authentic lab techniques, real-world careers, historical perspectives, and more.
- Kit content and the skills used by students during the investigations support obtainment of BCSI Biotechnology micro credentials.
- Kit provides an NGSS phenomena activity and aligns to science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts.
Time Requirement
Six to seven 50-minute class periods.
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support instruction. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its applications.
- Learn about strategies for protein expression, purification, and quality control.
- Use sterile technique to isolate and grow pure cultures of bacteria.
- Use antibiotic selection to maintain a recombinant bacterial culture.
- Purify Taq polymerase from recombinant bacteria.
- Test the activity of purified Taq polymerase by amplifying a specific region of the lambda phage genome by PCR.