Laboratory Tools and Methods
Gene Almanac 
Animations on DNA restriction, DNA transformation, polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing, gel electrophoresis, DNA arrays can be viewed within your web browser or downloaded for play from your computer.
Learn Genetics
A virtual laboratory illustrates basic techniques that molecular biologists use every day.
DNA Extraction
DNA Extraction
This virtual lab illustrates how DNA is isolated from human cells.
How to Extract DNA from Anything Living
LAB instructions.
Restriction Enzymes - "Scalpels" in "Genetic Surgery"
Background Paper
Basic information on endonucleases. Many further links.
Biology and Activity of Restriction Endonucleases
Detailed information on restriction enzymes.
Restriction Endonucleases
Narrated animation of restriction enzyme function.
Restriction Endonucleases
This site gives an overview of the various endonucleases used in biotechnology today and their characteristic features, i.e. the temperatures and buffer solutions they require to work properly.
Human DNA Libraries
Narrated animation of the use of restriction enyzmes and plasmids to establish human DNA libraries.
Gel Electrophoresis and Southern Blot
Virtual Electrophoresis Lab
This virtual lab introduces the techniques of DNA restriction digest and gel electrophoresis.
Electrophoresis and Southern Blot
Excellent narrated illustration of the two methods now used routinely to analyse DNA.
Agrose Gel Electrophoresis
Simulation of an agarose gel electrophoresis setup that allows you to understand how restriction enzyme digests are analyzed.
Southern Blot
Narrated animation of this method.
Capillary Electrophoresis (CE-Electrophoresis)
Introduction to the technique. An animation illustrates it.
DNA Fingerprinting
Genetic Fingerprinting
Amimated tutorial plus final quiz.
Blackett Family DNA Analysis
Activity that introduces into the method of genetic profiling.
Original RFLP Method
On this web page, you can see how RFLPs are produced and then three examples of applying RFLP analysis: paternity, disease status, and genetic mapping.
DNA Sequencing
How to Sequence a Genome
Animated and narrated segments presenting all the essential steps in sequencing a genome.
Sanger Method
Narrated video giving an overview of the method.
Sanger Method
Excellent narrated animation showing all the relevant details.
Sanger Method
Explanation of the dideoxy sequencing or chain termination method (text and sketches).
Shotgun Sequencing
Narrated animation of the shotgun sequencing method.
Sequence For Yourself
PBS animation of shotgun DNA sequencing.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
PCR Tutorial
Narrated animation of all the relevant details.
PCR Animation
Narrated animation of the process.
Bacterial ID LAB
In this virtual lab you can familiarize yourself with the science and techniques used to identify different types of bacteria based on their DNA sequence.You will isolate DNA, amplify it using PCR, then identify it.
Paper PCR
Material for student partner activitiy to imitate the steps of PCR.
Reverse Transcription - PCR
Reverse Transcription - PCR
Animation showing the steps of RT-PCR.
Protein Isolation and Protein Determination
Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Detecting Cancer
Narrated animation and presentation of technologies employed to isolate, separate and identify special proteins produced by cancerous cells.
Western Blot Procedure
Simplified introduction to the technique.
Western Blotting
Detailed illustration of the individual steps: electrophoresis, transfer to membrane, addition of antibodies and visualization with the help of the reporter antibodies.
Synthetic Synthesis of Oligonucleotides and Genes
Guide to Oligo Synthesis
Step by step explanation and illustration of oligonucleotide synthesis in automated DNA synthesizers.
Biomaterial Engineering
Step by step explanation of making a GATC 4-mer in an automated DNA synthesizer.
Oligonucleotides into Genes
Illustration of how synthetically produced olignucleotides are completed to make double-stranded DNA.
Transforming Bacteria
Transforming Bacteria
Choose the animation showing how plasmids become recombinant and are inserted into bacteria cells.
Making a Recombinant Plasmid
Choose the animation showing how a plasmid responsible for encoding a gene can be cut. The plasmid can be altered with the addition of linear DNA to form a recombinant plasmid to encode a new gene of interest.
Knockout Mice
Homologous Recombination and Knockout Mouse
Knockout mice allow investigators to determine the role of a particular gene by observing the phenotype of individuals that lack the gene completely. This site explains how knockout mice are created.
Knock-out Mouse
Introduction to the engineering of knock-out mice.