A novel experiment has been developed with a goal of enhancing engagement and deepening understanding of fundamental molecular biology concepts. In this laboratory activity, students investigate the composition of pet foods through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. By conducting this experiment, students address a scientific question that has the potential to be of personal interest and they gain an appreciation of the power of genetic analysis. To develop this activity, ingredient lists of popular pet foods were surveyed and eight different components were selected to be the subject of inquiry. Reaction conditions for qPCR were validated and optimized, and a simple, efficient, and student-friendly protocol was developed. A cohort of upper-level biology students extracted DNA from pet foods and conducted the qPCR reactions. Specificity of amplification was determined by conducting melting point analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis of the products. Student reactions were analyzed and efficacy of this approach for deepening understanding of fundamental biochemical and molecular biology concepts was documented. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):536-546, 2018.
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