What are plasmids? In 1952, Nobel Prize Winner Joshua Lederberg introduced the term ‘plasmid’, a double-stranded, circular DNA molecule that naturally exists in bacterial cells and some eukaryotes (Fig. 1). Plasmids have been used by molecular biologists to study, analyze,…
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Develop an affinity for science!
What is an antibody? Antibodies (also called immunoglobulins, or Igs) are specialized proteins that allow the immune system to distinguish between “self” and “non-self” proteins or polysaccharides. Antibody molecules comprise four linked polypeptide chains: two “heavy chains” and two “light…
New Orleans Wrap Up
Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the NSTA STEM Forum & Expo in NewOrleans. STEM is more than just the buzzword of the moment and this conference is a unique opportunity for educators and exhibitors to get together…
Teaching Genetic Diversity using Forensic Science
Explore genetic diversity with a cutting edge forensic science experiment! Your students become crime scene investigators as they analyze biological evidence using DNA fingerprinting, a technique that identifies people via genetic differences called polymorphisms. Gel electrophoresis is used to create…
