Immortality through uncontrolled cell division is a characteristic of cancer cells. The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene which prevents this. Mutations in this gene are present in more than 50% of cancers. Testing people for mutations in their p53 gene can indicate an increased risk in developing cancer. These tests raise intriguing ethical questions for both the individual tested and the family of an individual who chooses to be tested. In this experiment, students determine a pedigree for a family suspected to be carriers of mutations in their p53 genes. A DNA test indicates their likelihood of developing cancer.
Discover the molecular biology behind familial cancers
Explore how oncologists use pedigrees and molecular diagnostics
Construct a family's pedigree for Li-Fraumeni syndrome
Perform agarose gel electrophoresis to separate different sized DNA molecules
Load, run, analyze, and size control samples and a patient's blood, tumor, and tissue samples to identify mutations in their p53 gene
Group size:
For 8 Gels
Time required:
Complete in 45 minutes
Kit includes:
Instructions, Ready-to-Load QuickStrip DNA Samples, UltraSpec-Agarose, Electrophoresis Buffer (50X), Practice Gel Loading Solution, & FlashBlue DNA Stain.
All you need:
DNA Electrophoresis, Micropipettes: 5-50 µl (Optional), White Light Box, Microwave or Hot Plate, Distilled or Deionized Water, Small Plastic Trays or Large Weigh Boats (for gel destaining), Safety Goggles and Disposable Lab Gloves, & Printouts for Sequence Analysis (optional).
Storage:
Room Temperature Stable. Storage of Ready-to-Load QuickStrip samples in the Refrigerator is Recommended.