Sleep Lab: Lark or Owl: PCR experiment kit using your own DNA

Function and Applications

Participate in an authentic investigation on the genetics of sleep and circadian clocks. Use PCR and gel electrophoresis to determine your own genotype at a locus that has been associated with morning vs. evening preference.

Equipment and Technical Data

Scope of delivery, sufficient for 8 student groups:

• 2X X-Tract™ DNA extraction buffer

• 5X EZ PCR master mix, Load-Ready™

• Sleep Lab primer mix

• 100 bp DNA ladder, Load-Ready™

Storage:

• If kept in the freezer, reagents can be stored for 12 months after receipt.
• If kept in the refrigerator, reagents can be stored for 1 month after receipt.

Note:

• Time required for PCR preparation is 45 minutes.
• Time required for electrophoresis is 30 minutes.
• PCR can be performed unattended and takes a max. of 2 hours, whereupon the PCR products can be left at room temperature for up to one week in the thermocycler.

This kit does not include the reagents for the electrophoresis step.

Required accessories:

• Microliter pipette 2-20 µl (47141-10) and pipet tips (47148-01)

• 0.2 ml tubes (35928-01)

• Thermocycler miniPCR for 8 resp. 16 samples (35013-99 resp. 35014-99)
• For subsequent electrophoresis to visualize the results you need a gel electrophoresis system, e.g. blueGel (35017-99) and SeeGreen™ Agarose Tabs (35018-71).