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A teacher- and student-friendly approach to introducing the role of PCR in forensics, this lab illustrates the use of DNA typing to identify individuals in court cases and disasters. It assays for variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphisms, which are caused by short, repeated copies of a 16-nucleotide sequence at the pMCT118 locus. Kit comes with enough materials for 25 students to perform DNA extraction and amplification process.

Advanced—For experienced high school and college classes; requires some technical skill.

Introduce students to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the concept of allele frequencies in populations

• Provides an introduction to the use of PCR in forensics
• Helps demonstrate real-world applications of PCR

This lab illustrates the use of DNA typing to identify individuals in court cases and disasters. It assays for variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphisms, which are caused by short, repeated copies of a 16-nucleotide sequence at the pMCT118 locus. Differences in the number of repeated units produce longer and shorter alleles, which can be resolved by gel electrophoresis. Because the VNTR locus has more than 29 different alleles, a panel of student types shows a variety of different genotypes.

Use this kit to teach population genetics, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and forensics techniques. The repeated structure of the VNTR polymorphism makes it more difficult to amplify, so this experiment greatly benefits from a "hot start," in which 1 of the reagents is added during the first denaturing cycle.

Kit contains instructions and materials for 25 students to perform the DNA extraction and amplification step of the protocol. Kit does not include materials for electrophoresis. Note: Kit is shipped with perishable materials.

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