GAPDH PCR Module

The GAPDH PCR module is an integral component of the Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series. You can either use this module in conjunction with the electrophoresis module to visualize PCR results or purchase the module separately as a shorter stand-alone PCR laboratory activity to demonstrate applications of PCR in real research.

The experimental goal of the GAPDH PCR module is to amplify a portion of the GAPC gene, a housekeeping gene in the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) family, from a plant. After choosing a plant, students will amplify genomic and control plasmid DNA using two rounds of PCR from Arabidopsis (provided). Students may also amplify genomic DNA from two other plants, and additional genomic DNA may be extracted using the nucleic acid extraction module. Using degenerate primer sequences and multiple (nested) rounds of PCR, students will learn that amplifying novel DNA sequences can overcome the problems of the degradation of genetic code.

Students can analyze their PCR products using agarose gel electrophoresis and staining with ethidium bromide to visualize the GAPC gene they have isolated from the plant genome using the electrophoresis module.