After finishing the last bioethics presentation/panel discussion on GMOs, we briefly saw animations of PCR and restriction enzymes. Then, we discussed Southern blotting, a common technique to analyze DNA.
----------------------
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
"Lab" 9 - Bioethics presentations and panel discussions
Yesterday we had 5 out of the 6 bioethics presentation and discussion panels this quarter. Groups of students presented the scientific basis, the bioethical issues, and expressed their opinions on, controversial genetics-related topics. They followed by leading a discussion with their classmates. The topics, and presenters, were:
- Human cloning
Becca, Kelly, Kandai - Genetic screening in relation to psychiatric disorders
Chelsey, Cara, Scott - Prenatal genetic diagnosis
Amanda, Sarah, Brittany - Designer babies
Chelsie, Daisy, Johnny - Embryonic stem cell research
Nicole, Amy - Genetically modified organisms (Friday)
John, Josh, Mohammed
----------------------
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Lecture, chapter 13 - Cloning and recombinant DNA
Continuing with the chapter on cloning and recombinant DNA, we talked about how to make genomic DNA libraries, which involves cloning, in some cases by using artificial chromosomes (BACs and YACs). Then we talked about how we can find a fragment of DNA of interest in such libraries by binding the DNA to nitrocellulose or nylon paper membranes and using DNA or RNA probes.
We also discussed the process of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with emphasis on the advantages and disadvantages it has over the traditional cloning process.
----------------------
Monday, February 7, 2011
Lecture, chapter 13 - Cloning and recombinant DNA
Today we started with chapter 13.
We discussed the concept of cloning and the different kinds of cloning: Cloning molecules, cells, and organisms. We discussed the concept of recombinant DNA molecules.
We then proceeded to discuss the basics of the cloning DNA process, including the use of restriction enzymes, vectors, and DNA ligase.
----------------------
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)