Description

Nobel winning science: 2017 Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology for circadian clocks research.

Are you a night owl? Or a morning lark? The answer may be in your genes…

This lab allows students to test their own genotypes at the circadian clock gene Per3 locus that has been associated with sleep behavior preferences in humans. The coding region of this gene contains a VNTR (variable number tandem repeat) that is polymorphic (variable) across individuals.  Different variants of this VNTR in Per3 have been associated with a preference for evening or morning activity, that is whether you are a morning or evening type.

In this lab students will get to assess their own Per3 genotypes using PCR and gel electrophoresis, while also assessing their sleep phenotypes by answering a questionnaire about their circadian preferences.

You will participate in an authentic open inquiry investigation on the genetic underpinnings of sleep, and have a chance to contribute data to a citizen science database of sleep genotypes and phenotypes.

"We just ran the gels this morning and the results were amazing!  Every single one of my students had a good extraction and PCR (I don’t think I have done a lab yet where 100% of human DNA is extracted.) My students said it was their favorite lab they have done all year!  — Jill Ronstadt, Orange Lutheran High School, CA. "

This Learning Lab is aligned with National Standards and AP Biology objectives. It utilizes

the following molecular genetic techniques and analyses:

• DNA extraction from cheek cells
• PCR amplification of human genomic DNA
• DNA gel electrophoresis analysis of VNTRs
• Statistical analysis of genetic data

The miniPCR Sleep Lab™ kit contains reagents for 8 lab groups of 4 students each (32 students):

• X-Tract™ DNA extraction buffer
• 5X EZ PCR Master Mix, Load-Ready™
• Sleep Lab Primer Mix
• 100 bp DNA ladder

Please note:

• These reagents require frozen storage.
• Microtubes, PCR tubes, and electrophoresis reagents sold separately (or select the option above for Lab Companion Kit add-on)

Free miniPCR Learning Lab™ downloads:

• miniPCR Sleep Lab™ Instructor Guide
• miniPCR Sleep Lab™ Student Guide
• miniPCR Sleep Lab™ Data Analysis Table (AP level resource)
• miniPCR Sleep Lab™ Classroom Slides
• miniPCR Sleep Lab™ Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire

Optional: Lab Companion Kit

Add all the consumables you need for a class of 32 students: microtubes (50), PCR tubes (100), agarose (10 blueGel Tabs x 0.4 g ea.), 20X TBE electrophoresis buffer (30 ml), and GelGreen™ DNA stain, 10,000X (20 µl).

If you cannot find the answer to your problem then please contact us or telephone +44 (0)1954 210 200