DNA Sequencing Update
John F. Beck and David L. Bunbury Department of Chemistry, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, N. S. B2G 1C0, CANADA
Note:	This program is out of print, but is available for free download by Journal of Chemical Education subscribers. Go to the download page.
This update to DNA Sequencing (1) offers students the opportunity to become familiar with two of the main procedures for sequencing nucleic acid fragments. The Sanger and Maxam-Gilbert procedures are presented in complementary formats that can be used for self-instruction, as a course assignment, as a virtual lab (or pre-lab) exercise, or as a testing vehicle. Like its predecessor, the updated version is designed for a university level chemistry, biochemistry, or molecular biology course, but advanced, senior high school students will also find it instructive. Screens from DNA Sequencing The central feature of the package is the generation of a random DNA fragment that is then processed by either the Sanger or Maxam-Gilbert procedures. The final, color-marked electrophoretic gel (Sanger) or autoradiogram (Maxam-Gilbert) is simulated and presented to the student for interpretation. Students require a prior, general knowledge of the DNA base structures and the principles of electrophoresis. Knowledge of the chemistry of the different cleavage procedures is helpful but not necessary to use the package. DNA Sequencing includes an installation program; the two instructional sections, which include test or assignment segments; a package menu; and programs which evaluate and present, for the course instructor, the results of the test/assignment segments. The installation program provides an implementation sequence to be followed before the package can be run. It also requests information to customize the package for the particular learning location. Each instructional section is intended to familiarize students with the strategies and methods of the Sanger or Maxam-Gilbert procedure, and to provide guided practice at interpreting the resulting physical evidence. Students can use these sections as often as desired. When the student is confident that he or she has learned the particular interpretation technique, the test/assignment segment provides simulations of appropriately visualized electrophoretic gels (as presented in the instructional segments) that can be used as an assignment or test to show mastery of the procedure. The entire instructional package is menu driven with instructions to end the program, get help, and return to the menu constantly on the screen. For the course instructor, programs are provided to evaluate the answers to the test/assignment segment and present the results onscreen and in an ASCII text file. Hardware and Software Requirements   Computer  CPU RAM Drives Graphics Free Disk Space System Software Other   The Basics of Covalent Bonding MS-DOS compatible  80486 or higher with math coprocessor 640 KB  Hard disk, 3.5-in. high-density floppy drive  VGA or better 1 MB  MS-DOS or IBM PC-DOS 5.0 or higher  Mouse DNA Sequencing MS-DOS compatible  80386 or higher or Pentium 640 KB  Hard disk, 3.5-in. high-density floppy drive VGA or better  0.5 MB  MS-DOS or IBM PC-DOS 5.0 or higher --  Series B MS-DOS compatible 80286 or higher 640 KB Hard disk, 3.5-in. high-density floppy drive VGA or better (varies by program) MS-DOS or IBM PC-DOS 5.0 or higher -- Literature Cited Beck, J. F.; Bunbury, D. L. ÒDNA SequencingÓ, J. Chem. Educ. Software, 1997, 10 B, No. 1.

First Published: December 1997

Citation: Beck, J. F.; Bunbury D. L. . DNA Sequencing Update J. Chem. Educ. Software 10B2

Keywords: Lecture Aid; Computer Room; Laboratory; Simulation; High School; Biochemistry; Biology; DNA; Instructor

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Last Updated: April 26, 2001 Created: November 13, 1997	Created by: N. S. Gettys Comments to: jceonline@chem.wisc.edu
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