title: Environmental regulation of plant gene expression: an RT-qPCR laboratory project for an upper-level undergraduate biochemistry or molecular biology course.
abstract: We present a novel laboratory project employing "real-time" RT-qPCR to measure the effect of environment on the expression of the FLOWERING LOCUS C gene, a key regulator of floral timing in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The project requires four 3-hr laboratory sessions and is aimed at upper-level undergraduate students in biochemistry or molecular biology courses. The project provides students with hands-on experience with RT-qPCR, the current "gold standard" for gene expression analysis, including detailed data analysis using the common 2-ΔΔCT method. Moreover, it provides a convenient starting point for many inquiry-driven projects addressing diverse questions concerning ecological biochemistry, naturally occurring genetic variation, developmental biology, and the regulation of gene expression in nature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon, 97301.
authors.forename: Garrett J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Eickelberg
authors.forename: Alison J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics; D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D001671:Biochemistry / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004777:Environment; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018506:Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; D007753:Laboratories; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000193:education*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D029681:Arabidopsis Proteins; C418902:At5g10140 protein, Arabidopsis; D026161:MADS Domain Proteins
keywords: gene expression; laboratory exercises; molecular basis of cell and devel. biology; plant biochemistry; teaching and learning techniques methods and approaches