MiniOne Gel Kit

Explore how to use biotechnology equipment and techniques like micropipetting and electrophoresis. This kit allows students to use these techniques to analyze various samples from dyes to DNA. 
Illustration of a MiniOne gel electrophoresis system
Illustration by Regina Wu

Kit Description

This kit contains 8 of the MiniOne all-in-one gel electrophoresis systems and 8 full sets of micropipettes (3 different volume ranges)  as well as all the reagents necessary for a variety of activities. 

  • SEP has 5 MiniOne Gel Kits 
  • Each MiniOne Gel Kit has 2 crates and a freezer box for DNA and reagents
  • Labs are designed for 8 groups of 4 (32 students total). Make sure to tell us if your class is significantly different in size
  • SEP teachers who have their own equipment may request supplies only

 

Curriculum and Units Supported by the MiniOne Gel Kit

close up of hands micropipetting

Intro to Micropipetting

In this lesson, students are introduced to micropipetting. They will explore how a micropipet works, what the various ranges of different micropipets are, how to read and adjust the volume, and how to properly use a micropipet. 

gel with fluorescent DNA samples

Precut DNA Lab

In this lesson, students connect concepts about DNA, enzymes, and charge,  running gel electrophoresis analysis on pre-cut DNA and observing different banding patterns created by different enzymes. Using a DNA ladder, students can estimate the size of each fragment that they separated.

photo of two hands placing a gel into a blue gel box

Dye Electrophoresis

In this lesson, students learn about dye chemistry and how to separate complex mixtures of molecules by size, shape, and charge using gel electrophoresis analysis. 

heat block with two microtubes

Molecular Scissors: Enzyme Digest

In this lesson, students will use restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific locations. Students perform their own restriction enzyme digests and analyze the resulting banding patterns in their gels.

photo of two hands on two vertical metal bars

DNA Exonerations

This unit uses multiple DNA exoneration case studies as a way for students to explore modern day forensics, the criminal justice system, and mass incarceration in the U.S. 

photo of red blood cells

HLA Typing

In this lab from Lessson 7 of the Frontiers: Intro to Cancer Unit students students use DNA technology to find Hina a match for a bone marrow transplantation.

photo of an elephant's face from the front

Elephant Conservation: Ivory Cache

Explore how to integrate ecology, ethics, and biotechnology into a biology classroom by using current research on African elephant conservation. Students have opportunities for evidence-based argumentation as they collectively determine the source of poached ivory through a DNA lab experience.

photo of an elephant's face from the front

Elephants and Cancer

Carry out an investigation using gel electrophoresis and bioinformatics to determine the presence/absence and relative quantity of TP53 in multiple animals. This is Lesson 2 in the Elephants and Cancer Lesson Sequence.

COVID-19 Molecular Testing Lab

Examine patient samples after performing gel electrophoresis analysis to determine if their patient is positive, negative, or inconclusive for COVID-19 infections based on the RT-PCR method tests that detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This lab is from Lesson 2 of the COVID-19 Testing Lessons.

Kit Sign Up Process

NOTE: Please give us a minimum of two weeks’ advance notice so we can process your request.

1. Complete Online Demographic Form (only needs to be done once, skip if already filled out) Estimated numbers are OK.

2. Fill out either the SCHOOL-YEAR KIT REQUEST form or SUPPLIES-ONLY form:

SCHOOL-YEAR KIT REQUEST FORM
OR
SUPPLIES-ONLY REQUEST FORM

3: Confirmation Email: Once we have your items scheduled we will send a preliminary email summarizing your items and dates for pick up and drop off.