DNA Profiling: The Great Escape

In collaboration with the Centre for Open learning this DNA Profiling workshop forms part of their short courses. Book now to avoid disappointment!

Learning Level:  Adult (16+ years old)

Location: Charnock Bradley Building Reception, 10 minutes before the workshop start time

Availability: Thursday 23 March 2022, 10:00am - 2:30pm (One-day course organised by Centre for Open Learning)

Minimum attendance: 12   

Maximum attendance: 20

Cost: £12

Book Now

 

Workshop Description

Farmer Jamie owns a small herd of Shetland sheep. During the past few weeks, they have escaped several times from their paddock, each time breaking the fence and causing havoc on the rest of the farm. Jamie needs your help to discover the identity of the mischievous sheep using clues from the scene of the escape and DNA profiling to compare the DNA of five sheepy suspects.

Today was an eye-opening experience, it allowed me to experience something new.

Secondary pupil, Glasgow Age 16

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course participants will be able to:

  1. Explain how restriction enzymes cut DNA
  2. Interpret and discuss experimental results

Techniques used

  • Micropipetting
  • Restriction digest*
  • DNA gel electrophoresis

Workshop timeline

  • Analysis of sheep fleece from the scene of the escape
  • Introduction to micropipettes
  • Restriction digest of DNA samples*
  • Introduction to DNA profiling and DNA fragment analysis
  • DNA electrophoresis using agarose gels
  • Analysis and interpretation of results
  • Discussion linked to workshop topic

*Full-day workshop includes DNA digest with restriction enzymes, shorter workshop uses pre-digested DNA samples.

Getting here:

Free parking is available at Easter Bush Campus in The Roslin Institute and Veterinary Teaching Building car parks. Please provide your car registration at Charnock Bradley Building reception when you check in for the event.

The campus is well served by Lothian buses (buses 15, some 37 services, the X47 (but not the 47) and the 67) – please see www.lothianbuses.com. For more information please download our How to Get Here document 

Accessibility and Inclusion:

We are keen to make our events as inclusive as possible - please email us at ebsoc@ed.ac.uk or call the Easter Bush Science Outreach Centre team on 0131 651 9679 before booking if you would like to find out more about accessibility or usability.

 

For enquiries about the content of the courses in this subject area, please contact the Course Organiser - Kirsty Adamson - k.adamson@ed.ac.uk.

For all general enquiries, please contact us on 0131 650 4400 or COL@ed.ac.uk.

 

Risk Assessment 

 
 

 

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