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We have developed a practical activity suitable for visiting high school students to perform in a university teaching laboratory involving generation of DNA fingerprints from plants. PCR amplification of the chloroplast DNA with three different sets of primers, followed by restriction digest and gel electrophoresis produces a fingerprint pattern which can be used to visually compare plant species. Different species usually give a different pattern, whereas different cultivars from the same species give identical or very similar patterns. The procedure has been tested with a range of common food crops and culinary herbs which can be purchased or grown from seed.
The PCR primers and restriction enzyme combinations have been published (Biochem. Mol. Biol. Educ. 2011, 39, 204) and detailed set up instructions are available. Please contact us if you would like to know more.
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