title: Case-Study Investigation of Equine Maternity via PCR-RFLP: A Biochemistry Laboratory Experiment.
abstract: A simple and robust biochemistry laboratory experiment is described that uses restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products to verify the identity of a potentially valuable horse. During the first laboratory period, students purify DNA from equine samples and amplify two loci of mitochondrial DNA. During the second laboratory period, students digest PCR products with restriction enzymes and analyze the fragment sizes through agarose gel electrophoresis. An optional step of validating DNA extracts through realtime PCR can expand the experiment to three weeks. This experiment, which has an engaging and versatile scenario, provides students with exposure to key principles and techniques of molecular biology, bioinformatics, and evolution in a forensic context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Colby College, Waterville, Maine 04901, United States.
authors.forename: Julie T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Millard
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Colby College, Waterville, Maine 04901, United States.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Colby College, Waterville, Maine 04901, United States.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Colby College, Waterville, Maine 04901, United States.
authors.forename: Erzsebet E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Colby College, Waterville, Maine 04901, United States.
authors.forename: Griffin T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Davis
keywords: Bioanalytical Chemistry; Biochemistry; Collaborative/Cooperative Learning; Forensic chemistry; Hands-On Learning/Manipulatives; Laboratory Instruction; Nucleic Acids/DNA/RNA; Upper-division undergraduate