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Investigation of the properties of wild type and mutant alkaline phosphatase variants: A laboratory project linking genotype and phenotype
Author(s) -
Howitt Susan M.
Publication year - 2007
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.91
Subject(s) - genotype , phenotype , mutant , genetics , wild type , alkaline phosphatase , genotype phenotype distinction , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , biochemistry , enzyme
Abstract An understanding of the link between genotype and phenotype is essential for biology students. A 3‐wk laboratory project aimed at demonstrating this link and introducing early year students to some aspects of the research process is described. Students investigate the properties of wild type and mutant variants of alkaline phosphatase using the techniques of both biochemistry and molecular biology. Changes in enzyme activity are correlated with the changes in DNA sequence that introduce restriction enzyme sites. Mutants are also used to analyze the regulation of phoA gene expression. The application of different techniques to the same experimental system helps students to integrate information from different parts of the course.