Biotechnology Laboratory Textbook

Biotechnology: A Laboratory Skills Course

AP Biology

Mathematical Modeling

Evolutionary Relationships

Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration

Restriction Enzymes

Ecology & Enzymes

Bacterial Transformation & Gene Regulation

Biological Systems & Processes

DNA & Genetics

ThINQ!™ Investigations for AP and General Biology

ThINQ!™ Investigation Kits for AP Biology

Investigation kits aligned to AP Biology. Encourage students to design quantitative experiments through student-directed, inquiry-based learning.

ThINQ!™ Investigations for General Biology

Investigations that support three-dimensional, student-driven inquiry for the general biology classroom.

Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series

Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series

The complete Cloning and Sequencing Explorer series is a 6–8 week series of laboratory activities in which students clone and analyze a portion of the GAPC gene. Activities range from DNA extraction to computer-based sequence analysis.

Nucleic Acid Extraction Module

The first step in a gene cloning lab, the Nucleic Acid Extraction module allows students to extract all nucleic acids from plant cells using tissue grinding and lysis, followed by purification using column chromatography.

GAPDH PCR Module

An advanced PCR lab that utilizes nested PCR, the GAPDH PCR module allows students to amplify a portion of the GAPC gene, a housekeeping gene in the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) family, from a plant of their choice.

Electrophoresis Module

These DNA electrophoresis reagent packs are available in small, medium, and large sizes. Students can pour their own gels to visualize the products of PCR reactions, ligations, and restriction digests or perform dye electrophoresis.

PCR Kleen™ Spin Purification Module

The PCR Kleen Spin Purification module uses size exclusion chromatography to remove unincorporated primers, nucleotides, salts, and enzymes from PCR products.

Ligation and Transformation Module

This module allows students to directly ligate purified PCR products into the pJET1.2 plasmid vector and immediately transform freshly prepared competent bacteria with the ligation reaction.

Microbial Culturing Module

The Microbial Culturing module contains the materials necessary to teach basic sterile technique, culture and transform ampicillin-resistant E. coli, and grow cultures for plasmid minipreps.

Aurum™ Plasmid Mini Purification Module

In this module, students can rapidly purify up to 20 µg of plasmid DNA from transformed bacteria using a three-step alkaline lysis procedure followed by mini column chromatography.

Sequencing and Bioinformatics Module

The sequencing and bioinformatics module is used to analyze a portion of the GAPC gene isolated from a plant. Students are guided through a sequence analysis that allows them to make a real contribution to science!

Protein Expression and Purification Series

Protein Expression and Purification SeriesBring the world of cancer research and biomanufacturing to your students with this modular 5–7 period series of laboratory activities during which students express, purify, and evaluate the enzymatic activity of DHFR.

DNA Analysis Kits and Agarose Gel Electrophoresis Kits

IDEA Kit — Inquiry Dye Electrophoresis ActivityIntroduce the skills required for agarose gel electrophoresis through an exercise with real-world relevance to the foods you eat. This kit uses food dyes to illustrate how visible molecules move through a molecular sieve.STEM Electrophoresis KitBuild a horizontal gel electrophoresis chamber and integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to showcase how these disciplines are combined to develop tools to solve problems.DNA ModelBuild a biologically accurate DNA model by easily attaching the foam nucleotide bases, assembling the DNA strands, and then twisting them into the familiar double helix.Analysis of Precut Lambda DNA Kit

This activity aids teachers in providing in-depth explanations of how restriction enzymes cut DNA and how electrophoresis can be used to separate and visualize
DNA fragments.

Restriction Digestion and Analysis of Lambda DNA Kit

This DNA analysis kit demonstrates the procedures and principles of DNA restriction digestion. Digestion of phage lambda DNA is followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Students get hands-on experience with gel casting, sample loading

Forensic DNA Fingerprinting Kit

Using real DNA as evidence, your students play the role of crime scene investigator to figure out for themselves,
"Who done it?" This DNA kit for education illustrates the principles behind testing methods used by practicing for

Genes in a Bottle™ Kit

In this activity, your students employ the same real-world laboratory procedure used to extract DNA from many different organisms for a variety of biotechnology research applications. This DNA kit allows students to extract genomic DN

PCR Amplification Kits

Fish DNA Barcoding Kit

The Fish DNA Barcoding Kit is an advanced kit that incorporates PCR and DNA sequencing techniques for teaching students how to genetically identify fish species.

Crime Scene Investigator PCR Basics KitThe Crime Scene Investigator PCR Basics Kit is an introductory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit that allows students to simulate DNA profiling as commonly used in forensic laboratories.Crime Scene Investigator PCR Basics Real-Time PCR Starter KitThe Crime Scene Investigator PCR Basics Real-Time PCR Starter Kit is a tool for teaching students the principles of PCR and its use in forensic DNA analysis.GMO Investigator KitThis kit uses PCR and DNA electrophoresis to test for the presence of two different GMO-associated DNA sequences: the 35S promoter of CaMV and the terminator of the nos gene of A. tumefaciens.GMO Investigator Real-Time PCR Starter KitThe GMO Investigator real-time PCR starter kit is designed for teaching students the principles of PCR and its use in testing foods for the presence of genetic modifications.PV92 PCR Informatics KitIn this activity, students use real-world forensic techniques to extract DNA from their hair follicles or cheek cells, and then use PCR amplification and electrophoresis to fingerprint their own DNA.

Model Organism Kits

C. elegans Behavior KitCompare a wild-type strain of C. elegans to a neurologic mutant to understand how a loss of the AIY and ASE neurons impacts learning capacity through a chemotaxis experiment.

Health and Engineering

Science of Opioid Dependence Kit

Have your students explore the environmental and genetic links to opioid dependence as they design a human genetic research study.

Engineering Solutions for Global Health Kit

In this engineering kit, students measure protein content in foods and design solutions to a complex, real-world
problem — malnutrition.

Microbes and Health KitThe chemistry of the bacterial cell is brought into focus in this laboratory kit, as students examine bacteria and their interaction with the environment.

pGLO™ Plasmid and GFP Kits

pGLO™ Bacterial Transformation Kit

In this classic activity, students transform bacteria by introducing a gene from the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria. The classic pGLO kit follows the same procedure used by molecular biologists to create "designer

Green Fluorescent Protein Chromatography Kit

Use this GFP kit to take your students through the process of creating a new product — from discovery in the laboratory to biomanufacturing to market.

Secrets of the Rainforest™ Kit

This GFP kit is a fantastic way to introduce your students to the world of commercial biotechnology by involving them in a simulated scenario as employees at a company in the drug discovery business.

pGLO™ SDS-PAGE Extension

This activity extends the utility of the pGLO kit by using the green fluorescent protein expressed in bacteria to illustrate the central dogma of biology: DNA transcription, the expression of a protein, and the visualization of a trai

Protein Analysis Kits

Biofuel Enzyme Kit

This kit explores enzyme kinetics associated with the production of cellulosic ethanol, a biofuel, and provides support for a structured, teacher-driven approach.

Comparative Proteomics Kit I: Protein Profiler ModuleThis module allows students to employ protein electrophoresis, the most widely used technique in life science research, to study protein structure and function.Comparative Proteomics Kit II: Western Blot ModuleStudents use western blotting to specifically identify myosin light chain from the hundreds of other proteins that comprise the muscle cell extracts of closely and distantly related species of fish.ELISA Immuno Explorer™ KitThe kit utilizes a technique referred to as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the presence of an antibody or an antigen in a sample.Got Protein? KitBased on the Bio-Rad Quick Start Bradford protein assay, this kit is designed to introduce students to proteomics and provides the tools for them to develop their own protein-based experiments.Size Exclusion Chromatography KitColumn chromatography is the most common method used in biotechnology for separating a mixture of components in a liquid.This kit teaches the basic principles of size exclusion chromatography.

Equipment and Supplies

Chromatography

Instruments and media for teaching the chromatographic purification of proteins and nucleic acids

Electrophoresis and Blotting Apparatus

For teaching essential protein and nucleic acid electrophoretic techniques using state-of-the-art tools.

Electrophoresis Accessories

Gel dryer for agarose and polyacrylamide gels offer a low-cost alternative to expensive gel imaging systems.

General Lab Equipment

Research-quality, general-use laboratory equipment that supports all your basic teaching needs.

Gene Transfer/TransfectionIntroducing DNA and RNA into cells is a powerful tool for evaluating gene expression. Bio-Rad's products offer choices for transfection to bacterial, plant, fungal, and animal cells.Imaging

Low- and high-resolution imaging systems for visualizing, analyzing, and archiving electrophoresis results

Lab Packages

Research-quality laboratory equipment packages are perfectly adapted to science education.

PCR Instrumentation

PCR machines and real-time PCR systems are offered to provide students with a real research experience

Plastics

A selection of high quality plastic consumables designed for research are now available for science education

Power SuppliesBoost classroom performance and energize your teaching lab with Bio-Rad's PowerPac power supplies. No power supply offers better value and performance than the PowerPac series.Quantitation

Instruments for the quantitation of proteins and nucleic acids or to monitor cell culture growth.

Reagents

Wide selection of buffers and reagents for various protein, RNA, and DNA applications.

Refresh Kit ComponentsReduce packaging waste, refresh your kits, and reuse components while saving storage space by purchasing individual items. Bio-Rad now has many individual components for Biotechnology Explorer™ kits available for purchase.

Kit Curriculum Manuals

English Versions Danish Versions Dutch Versions French Versions German Versions Italian Versions Spanish Versions 

Home Science Kits

Genes in a Bottle™ Home Science Kit

Real-life laboratory science makes your invisible DNA visible in a matter of minutes. Dye your precipitated DNA strands and fashion them into a helix necklace, bracelet, or keepsake. Continue the DNA adventures with a total of seven a

DNA Model

This colorful and attractive DNA model lets you understand DNA, the building block of life that makes us all human and uniquely different at the same time. This foam DNA puzzle fits together only one way, just like in nature. Ages 8 and up.

The Candy Caper — A Crime Scene Detective Kit

Solve a forensic mystery story using real science. Candy provides the crime scene evidence as you engineer a gel electrophoresis system to solve the crime of the stolen cell phones. Ages 14 and up.