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Environmental regulation of plant gene expression: An RT‐qPCR laboratory project for an upper‐level undergraduate biochemistry or molecular biology course
Author(s) -
Eickelberg Garrett J.,
Fisher Alison J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
biochemistry and molecular biology education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1539-3429
pISSN - 1470-8175
DOI - 10.1002/bmb.20722
Subject(s) - biology , gene expression , computational biology , gene , arabidopsis thaliana , genetics , ecology , mutant
We present a novel laboratory project employing “real‐time” RT‐qPCR to measure the effect of environment on the expression of the FLOWERING LOCUS C gene, a key regulator of floral timing in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The project requires four 3‐hr laboratory sessions and is aimed at upper‐level undergraduate students in biochemistry or molecular biology courses. The project provides students with hands‐on experience with RT‐qPCR, the current “gold standard” for gene expression analysis, including detailed data analysis using the common2 − Δ Δ C Tmethod. Moreover, it provides a convenient starting point for many inquiry‐driven projects addressing diverse questions concerning ecological biochemistry, naturally occurring genetic variation, developmental biology, and the regulation of gene expression in nature. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(5):325–333, 2013