This course requires the student to manipulate the various components and physical temperature required for PCR to answer specific questions.

An example lab is “how much DNA is required for PCR?”. In order to answer this question, the student must design an experiment that varies the amount of DNA in several samples, set up the experiment, then analyze the results. This course is specifically designed to teach a student how to set up and analyze experimental results using PCR as the experimental vehicle.

Differences in techniques relate primarily to the type of primer used, the DNA being amplified and the detection method. Most of the 25 labs use a standard master mix (Promega GoTaqTM) to ensure reliability. In this course, the detection of PCR products is accomplished using agarose electrophoresis.