RFLP Analysis and Allelic Discrimination with Real-Time PCR Using the Human Lactase Persistence Trait: A Pair of Molecular Genetic Investigations

We describe here two open-ended laboratory investigations for an undergraduate laboratory course that uses students' DNA as templates for quantitative real-time PCR and for traditional PCR followed by RFLP analysis. Students are captivated by the immediacy of the application and the relevance of the genotypes and traits, lactase persistence or nonpersistence, under study. Concepts ranging from nucleotide polymorphisms to natural selection can be demonstrated and reinforced by these laboratories. Students have a high degree of success with the laboratories and both objective and self-assessments of student learning indicate that concepts and techniques are better understood following implementation of these laboratory investigations. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)