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In this activity, students use a program on our laptops that quantifies the results obtained through gel electrophoresis.  The program can be used to analyze the distance a band of DNA moves and convert that information into the number of base pairs that make up the fragments in that band.  Although this program can be used to analyze any gel, to save time, I have inserted pictures of gels for two different activities.  The first activity involves research on the AIDS virus.  

1. This activity involves recent research on the AIDS virus.  While most people are susceptible to the virus that causes AIDS, it has been found that an extremely small portion of the population appear immune to AIDS and another small portion shows some resistance.  In this activity, students are given the same raw data that scientists used to discover the secret behind these differences in susceptibility. 

2. In this activity, the students analyze two gels involving forensic problems.  One involves DNA obtained from blood left behind in the commission of a crime to determine the possible guilt or innocence of several suspects and the second is a case involving paternity of several children. 

AIDS Research - Student Directions

AIDS Research - Information for students to read the night before the lab

AIDS Research - Teacher Notes

Forensic Problems- Student Directions

Forensic Problems - Teacher Notes