Paternity test

Principle

This experiment builds a bridge between classical genetics, with its Mendelian rules and the concept of alleles on the one hand, and molecular genetics on the other. It involves the genetic process of paternity analysis as it is used today, namely by means of gel electrophoresis. In this experiment, we help a pack of puppies to find their father.

Benefits

• Complete solution including all the necessary consumables
• Consumables can be purchased separately as a kit
• Ready to use: DNA samples can be used directly in electrophoresis without sample preparation
• Well-documented, simple experimental procedure
• Band migration can be observed during  electrophoresis

Tasks

• Casting of an agarose gel
• Sample preparation for gel electrophoresis
• Conducting gel electrophoresis
• Analysing the band pattern

Learning objectives

• DNA fingerprinting
• Paternity test
• Electrophoresis
• Banding pattern
• DNA profile
• Forensics
• PCR