Association for Biology Laboratory Education

Examining Genetic Diversity in Disjunct Populations using Random DNA Markers
 

Robert Sheehy & Judy Guinan

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2006, Volume 27

Abstract

Molecular biological techniques are used to study naturally occurring genetic variation, and have greatly facilitated the understanding of problems in many areas of biology. In this lab, we examine two populations of terrestrial isopods in the Family Armadillidiidae using Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD Analysis). RAPD’s are robust and generally species-independent. Using this technique, we are able to detect and analyze genetic variation within and between two different populations of isopods. This lab exercise could easily be modified for use in an introductory course for majors or non-majors and would be suitable for any organism with low vagility.

Keywords:  PCR, DNA, electrophoresis, genetic diversity, isopod, RAPD

Virginia Tech (2005)