Recombinant DNA Labs
This module will familiarize the student with the basic tools and concepts used by molecular biologists in their scientific work. The biological workhorse in these experiments is the plasmid, a small piece of engineered DNA which contains a genetic element (gene) that can be expressed by the bacterial host into which it is inserted. The concepts and techniques taught in this unit are: (1) inserting plasmid DNA into bacteria, (2) culturing the modified bacteria, (3) purifying plasmid DNA from bacteria, (4) analyzing plasmid DNA using restriction enzymes, and (5) amplifying a small segment of DNA using PCR.