Students are actively engaged in trying to confirm the sequence of a given cDNA clone using the WWW tools and traditional restriction analysis. The students grow the clone, prep the plasmid, cut the plasmid with restriction enzymes and compare their results to what was predicted to cut via webcutter on the world wide web. Students will conduct real research on an actual cDNA clone provided by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Students will learn miniprepping, electrophoresis, WWW use and clone growth. This activity integates computer technology with wet lab techniques.
Students see the computer as a vital link in the biotech lab.
They use webcutter on the WWW to predict how many times a chosen restriction enzyme will cut the tentative sequence as provided by D. Greg Lennon at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Then they perform the experiment and compare actual vs. expected DNA fragments. They then share the information with others. Each school should try different enzymes.