Description
Conservation Genetics Lab: Discovering Lemur Diversity
Bring your students on an expedition to Madagascar! Analyze morphological data and run electrophoresis gels to determine whether researchers have rediscovered a species of lemur once thought to be extinct.
- Analyze actual field data
- Construct phylogenetic trees from DNA sequence data
- Compare generalist and specialist species facing ecological change
A molecular evolution and ecology lab based directly on our collaborators’ published and unpublished research, this collaboration with the Duke Lemur Center was designed with the goal of bringing molecular techniques to Ecology and Evolution units. As either a quick, single-period gel running lab or a week-long mini-unit, this lab offers flexibility and high-quality curriculum.
- Techniques: Micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, bioinformatics
- Topics: Molecular ecology, consevation genetics, evolution, biotechnology
- Time required: Can be completed in one 45-minute class periods
- Level: General high school through college
The miniPCR Electrophoresis Forensics Lab kit contains reagents for 8 lab groups of up to 4 students each (32 students):
- 8 lemur DNA samples
- DNA molecular weight marker (Fast DNA Ladder 1)
Note: Reagents are compatible with blueGel™ or other standard DNA electrophoresis systems
Supplied by user:
The Learning Lab Companion Kit (catalog no. KT-1510-01) contains all the consumables (except water) needed for 8 lab groups. These reagents and consumables can also be sourced independently.
- Reagents and consumables supplied by user:
- Agarose (electrophoresis grade)
- DNA stain (e.g., GelGreen®)
- Gel electrophoresis buffer (e.g., 1X TBE)
- Distilled or deionized H2O (to dilute buffer concentrate – not included in Lab Companion Kit)
- Microtubes
- Required equipment:
- Micropipettes and tips
- Gel electrophoresis and fluorescence visualization system
Storage notes:
- Reagents require freezer storage
- Reagents are stable for 12 months when stored in the freezer
Downloads
- miniPCR Lemur Lab Teacher’s Guide
- miniPCR Lemur Lab Student’s Guide
- miniPCR Lemur Lab Classroom Slides
- Three ways to prepare agarose gels
If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200
