BioRad kits
Used--and approved!--by BEI teachers
pGLO bacterial transformation kit
Genetic engineering is the process of manipulating the genetic material of an organism — often to include the DNA from a foreign organism.
In this activity, students transform bacteria by introducing a gene from a bioluminescent jellyfish. They use the same procedure for creating "designer proteins" that has led to the explosion of new health treatments, agricultural applications, and environmental solutions.
GFP chromatography kit
Students begin this activity with the pGLO bacterial transformation kit. A colony of transformed bacteria are placed in liquid cultures overnight then lysed to release their cellular contents. GFP is purified from the bacterial contaminants using the HIC columns provided in the kit.
The unique fluorescent property of GFP allows real-time monitoring of the extraction and purification processes. pGLO transformation and GFP purification together are key processes used in biotechnology to produce and purify designer proteins with commercial or research value.
ELISA immuno explorer kit
Explore biodefense, immunology, agriculture, and health science with this topical, hands-on classroom lab. The ability of antibodies to act like magic bullets and target viral, bacterial, and allergenic antigens in the body also makes them ideal biodetection tools in the hunt for antigens in bioscience research and medical diagnostic tests.
This kit integrates multiple core content areas. It facilitates teaching about immune system functions and about the unique properties of antibodies that have revolutionized medicine, epidemiology, and life science research.
GMO investigator kit
Students engage in a complete investigation in which they gather sample food items from the grocery store, extract DNA from the samples, amplify the DNA using PCR, and use gel electrophoresis to identify the presence or absence of amplified GMO sequences.
The GMO Investigator kit uses PCR and DNA electrophoresis to test for the presence of two different GMO-associated DNA sequences: the 35S promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus, and the terminator of the nopaline synthase gene of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
These DNA sequences are present in most (>85%) of the GM crops that are approved for distribution worldwide. In addition, the integrity of the plant DNA extracted from food is tested by using PCR to amplify a section of the Photosystem II chloroplast gene that is common to most higher plants.