Food Safety Lab: Food Truck Trouble!
Investigate a public health emergency at a
food truck festival using molecular biology tools! Use PCR, restriction
digestion, and gel electrophoresis to track pathogenic E. coli to its source.
Engage students with a compelling real-world scenario that showcases
rapid pathogen detection methods used by public health officials,
highlighting their vital role in protecting community health. Students
investigate an outbreak of pathogenic E. coli bacteria at a
community food truck festival. Through patient surveys and DNA analysis,
students must trace the outbreak to its source to contain the spread
and protect the general public.
This kit provides hands-on experience in differentiating bacterial
strains using molecular diagnostic techniques. Students will perform
PCR, restriction enzyme digests, and gel electrophoresis on DNA samples
from suspected foods, learning to identify the source of a simulated
foodborne illness and implement strategies to eliminate the public
health threat.
- Techniques: Micropipetting, PCR, restriction digest, gel electrophoresis
- Topics: Microbiology. infectious disease
- Time required: 120 minutes; can be split over 2 or 3 class periods
- Level: General high school, advanced high school, colleges
Required equipment:
Gel electrophoresis reagents and plastic tubes are supplied by the user
- Agarose
- Gel electrophoresis buffer (e.g. TBE)
- Fluorescent DNA stain (e.g. SeeGreen™ or GelGreen®)
- 1.7 ml tubes for distributing samples to student groups
- 0.2 ml PCR tubes
The Learning Lab Companion Kit (KT-1510-01) provides sufficient reagents to prepare and run eight gels when using the blueGel™ electrophoresis system, as well as 1.5 ml and 0.2 ml plastic tubes.
Storage:
- If kept in the freezer, reagents can be stored for 12 months after receipt.
- If kept in the refrigerator, reagents can be stored for 1 month after receipt.
What is included?
Reagents for 8 lab groups:
- 2X EZ PCR Master Mix, Load-Ready™
- Food Safety Lab Primer Mix
- 4 DNA samples to investigate, including controls
- Restriction Enzyme XmnI
- Fast DNA Ladder 2
Disclaimer:
- No pathogenic materials used
Storage:
- If kept in the freezer, reagents can be stored for 12 months after receipt
- If kept in the refrigerator, reagents can be stored for 1 month after receipt
Downloads
Curriculum for KT-1001-04 (purchased after August 18, 2025)
Curriculum for KT-1001-03 (before August 18, 2025)
SDS
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