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Edvotek November Newsletter
In this Issue: What is a Model Organism? • Experiments and Equipment
Edvotek's Biotech Institute • Upcoming Workshops & Conferences
What is a Model Organism?
Special Offer!
A model organism is any plant, animal or microorganism that
allows us to study fundamental questions in biology that may be
hard to study directly in complex organisms like humans. FREE 4GB Flash Drive
with the purchase of one of our featured kits!
Offer ends February 28, 2014.
Not to be combined with other offers.
Use Promo Code: MODEL2013
What are some characteristics of a model
organism?
In general, model organisms have fast generation time, breed in
large numbers and have a sequenced genome. Many model
organisms are relatively simple and inexpensive to use, so they
are widely available for use in the classroom. Common model
organisms include the zebrafish, the mouse, the rat, the fruit fly
D. melanogaster, the nematode C. elegans, the budding yeast,
the bacteria E. coli and Arabidopsis, just to name a few!
What can a fruit fly really tell me about human
biology?
Experiment #223
Transformation of E.coli with
Green Fluorescent Protein
Human biology is extremely complex. There’s a lot going on in
our bodies that we just don’t understand. Performing
experiments in humans, however, is highly unethical. We are
still able to make insights into human development and disease
by studying similar genes in model organisms.
Many of the basic principles of biology that were first identified
in model organisms have later been demonstrated in humans. For example, Gregor Mendel used pea plants to establish that
genes have different forms, or alleles, and that these alleles
segregate independently from one another. Building on this
work, Thomas Hunt Morgan usedthe fruit fly to illustrate the
linkage of a gene to a particular chromosomal location. Today,
we know that most human traits observe these rules of
inheritance.
Modern technology has allowed scientists to determine the
sequence the genome of many model organisms. DNA
sequence comparison software like BLAST has allowed
scientists to identify genes that are similar to those that are
important for human health and development. Scientists can
learn more about these genes by studying their function in a
model organism. For instance, about 75% of the genes that
cause disease in humans have homologs in D. melanogaster. For example, the fly model of Alzheimer’s disease has provided
new information on the disease, which has allowed scientists to
identify novel targets for treatment. Experiment #336
The Green Fluorescent Protein
from the jellyfish Aequorea
victoria is used extensively in all
areas of science. Many
organisms have been
transformed with the GFP gene,
the gene responsible for
bioluminescence in jellyfish. It
has proven to be so useful that
scientists have mutated it to
produce Blue Fluorescent Protein
(BFP). In this simple experiment
your students will transform
bacteria with GFP!
Click HERE for more info!
QuickPlant™ Genetics
Using PCR
Students will see the
relationship between genotype
and phenotype by performing
PCR using DNA extracted
from Edvotek® QuickPlants™. Unlike the wild type
QuickPlants™, the glabra
mutant lacks trichomes
(single-celled hairs) on its
leaves. Using PCR, students
will compare a region of DNA
that differs between the glabra
mutant and the wild type
plants, so they will see this
variation at the DNA level.
Click HERE for more info!
Experiment #858
Lighting up Life:
Expression of GFP in
C. elegans
Experiment #337
Scientists can directly
manipulate an organism's
genome to produce a
phenotype using engineered
genes called transgenes. In
this experiment,
students will use fluorescent
microscopy and PCR to
analyze C. elegans
that have been engineered to
express the Green
Fluorescent Protein (GFP).
Drosophila Genotyping Using
PCR
Students will learn about DNA
polymorphisms by amplifying
DNA regions that vary between
wild & mutant Drosophila.
Amplified DNA from wild-type and
white-eyed flies are separated by
agarose gel electrophoresis and
analyzed.
Click HERE for more info!
COMING SPRING 2014!
Click HERE for a review of one of our recent
C. elegans workshops!
Catalog #558
Midrange UV
Transilluminator
Catalog #542
MegaCycler™
The all-new Midrange UV
Transilluminator is designed to
visualize DNA stained with
ethidium bromide. The UV
filter size is 7 x 14 cm and is
optimal for visualizing almost
every EDVOTEK® experiment
kit utilizing ethidium bromide.
Safety features include a UVblocking cover and a power
cut-off switch when the cover
is opened.
Click HERE for more info!
Finally, an affordable PCR
machine! Features a 0.2 ml tube
block for up to 49 samples!
Comes pre-programmed with all
EDVOTEK PCR protocols!
Click HERE for more info!
At Edvotek®, we are committed to developing new and exciting
resources for the biotechnology classroom. That's why we are
offering an exciting series of professional development
workshops. These short courses couple theory with active
experimentation in various areas of biotechnology. Courses will begin Summer 2014. Download our brochure for more information. www.edvotek.com/Biotech_institute.pdf
Workshops & Conferences
Dates to remember in your planning process:
NSTA Conferences:
NSTA National Conference, Boston - April 3-6, 2014
NSTA STEM Forum, New Orleans - May 14-17, 2014
ASM CUE Conference:
Danvers, MA - May 15-16, 2014
Thank you to the attendees of ACTE and
NSTA Denver!
Catalog #533
Mezzo™ Microcentrifuge
Compact and easy to use, yet
powerful enough to enable each
workstation to be equipped with a
centrifuge for a wide range of
molecular biology separations
and quick spins. Speed is
variable from 0 to 12,500 rpm
(9,100 x g maximum). The
Mezzo™ Microcentrifuge includes
a 12-place rotor for 1.5 ml to 2.0
ml tubes (adapters available for
smaller tubes). A digital timer
allows programs running from 15
seconds to 30 minutes. The unit
is 8.0 x 6.7 x 4.5.".
Click HERE for more info!
Catalog #589-593
Edvotek® Variable
Micropipets
Our Variable Micropipets are
sturdily designed with volumes
ranging from 0.1 to 5000 µl.
They are easy to use, highly
accurate and use standard
micropipet tips. The volume is
easily selected by twisting the
top. The lightweight design
and tip ejector makes
operation fast & easy. A tool
and instructions are included
for self-calibration.
Click HERE for more info!
Catalog #5067
Classroom PCR LabStation™
All the equipment you need for an entire classrom
to perform a variety of PCR related experiments!
Supports up to 25 students!
Click HERE for more info!
E D V O T E K® -- The Biotechnology Education Company®
tel 800.338.6835 | fax 202.370.1501 | www.edvotek.com | [email protected]
1121 5th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 USA
© 2013 EDVOTEK Inc. All rights reserved.
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