COVID-19 Teaching Resources

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 The Biology of SARS-CoV-2
and Detection Methods 		Hands-on Laboratory
Activities for Your Students 		Additional Resources

Your students may have a lot of questions about COVID-19, from how it spreads to how it is detected and how it can be treated. This presents a rich opportunity to teach key concepts in biology through the lens of an ongoing real-world context. Bio-Rad offers a flexible array of hands-on kits, free resources, and lessons to help you teach the biology and detection of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Biology of SARS-CoV-2 and Detection Methods

 
  • What Is the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus?

    What Is the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus?

    Help your students understand the biology of SARS-CoV-2 by reviewing its origin, structure, and ways to prevent the spread of infection. This PowerPoint presentation walks you and your students through key biology concepts of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

    Download PPT (PPT 16.3 MB)

  • How Do We Detect COVID-19?

    How Do We Detect COVID-19?

    Every day brings new developments in the race for effective and accurate COVID-19 testing, but most strategies are based on a few key fundamental technologies. This PowerPoint presentation explains some fundamental techniques and emerging strategies in COVID-19 detection.

    Download PPT (PPT 23.3 MB)

Hands-On Laboratory Activities for Your Students

Teach your students the science behind SARS-CoV-2 detection using these hands-on laboratory activities. Use these three
Bio-Rad Explorer Classroom Kits to teach relevant life science concepts in the context of COVID-19.

  • ELISA Antibody Detection

    ELISA Antibody Detection

    Several existing and emerging SARS-CoV-2 detection methods rely on the specificity of antibodies. In this activity, use real antibodies to determine whether simulated patients are or were infected with
    SARS-CoV-2.

    This activity uses the reagents and antibodies from the ELISA Immuno Explorer Kit.

    Download the instructions and presentation (PPT 23.3 MB)

  • Animation of PCR

    PCR Detection

    Investigate the real life spread of SARS-CoV-2 that occurred in a restaurant. In this activity, students use agarose gel electrophoresis to analyze pre-amplified DNA samples from simulated patients and propose ways the virus may have spread.

    This activity uses the reagents and pre-amplified DNA samples from the Science of Opioid Dependence Kit.

    Download the instructions and presentation (PPT 13.4 MB)

  • History of PCR

    Real-Time PCR Detection

    Real-time PCR is currently the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis. In this activity, use real-time PCR to detect SARS-CoV-2 in simulated patient samples. Students analyze amplification and melt curves to determine which patients are positive and then quantify viral RNA.

    This activity uses the reagents and DNA samples from the Crime Scene Investigator PCR Basics Real-Time PCR Starter Kit.

    Download the instructions and presentation (PPT 27.4 MB)

Additional Resources