What’s in my lunch? Analyzing GM foods in your classroom laboratory.

I always like to teach biotechnology in the context of its real-world uses.  For example, one "hot-button" issue relates to the genetic modification of plants and animals in agriculture.  Newspapers, popular magazines, and even our Facebook feeds are full of statements…

Biotech Basics: Restriction Enzymes

What are restriction enzymes? Restriction endonucleases (also known as restriction enzymes) act like molecular scissors, cutting double-stranded DNA at specific sequences.  They are produced by many species of bacteria to protect themselves from invading viral DNA.  The utility of restriction…

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…