Electrophoretic techniques that distinguish DNA fragments by size are essential in forensics and in the mapping of restriction sites within genes. With the Restriction Digestion and Analysis of Lambda DNA Kit, students use two different restriction enzymes to digest genomic DNA from lambda bacteriophage. By visualizing the effects of two different enzymes on identical samples of double-stranded DNA, students learn that different restriction enzymes recognize and cut different DNA sequences.

With this kit, students are able to:

• Use agarose gel electrophoresis to study digestion patterns
• Generate standard curves from series of DNA size standards
• Analyze migration distances to determine DNA fragment sizes

Students learn the procedures and principles of restriction digestions and DNA gel electrophoresis, including:

• Agarose gel casting
• Sample loading
• Size-based separation of DNA fragments
• DNA staining
• Graphic analysis