title: "Mini-array" transcriptional analysis of the Listeria monocytogenes lecithinase operon as a class project: A student investigative molecular biology laboratory experience*.
abstract: This report describes a molecular biotechnology-based laboratory curriculum developed to accompany an undergraduate genetics course. During the course of a semester, students researched the pathogen, developed a research question, designed experiments, and performed transcriptional analysis of a set of genes that confer virulence to the food-borne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. Gene fragments were amplified via PCR and utilized in "mini-arrays," a dot-blot-based format suitable for the simultaneous transcriptional analysis of multiple genes. The project provides exposure to a wide range of molecular techniques and can be easily modified for variations in class size. Data are generated at various steps of the process, allowing for student interpretation, troubleshooting, and assessment opportunities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Wayne State College, Wayne, Nebraska 68787. dochris1@wsc.edu.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jovic