Learning Lab: Viral Diagnostics Lab: Beating the Next Pandemic

A new virus is spreading across the globe. Use gel electrophoresis to determine if patients complaining of viral symptoms have seasonal flu or are infected with the new virus.

This lab demonstrates the power that molecular techniques bring to managing infectious disease outbreaks. In this case study, students act as healthcare providers, diagnosing four patients who have arrived at their clinics complaining of flu-like symptoms. Students will use gel electrophoresis to discern whether their patients are suffering from seasonal flu or a new and dangerous emerging virus. This exercise reinforces how molecular tools allow healthcare providers to diagnose hard-to-distinguish infections. An optional extension offers an introduction to DNA sequence analysis and its applications in epidemiology for more advanced students.

Techniques: Micropipetting, gel electrophoresis
Topics: Infectious disease, molecular and clinical diagnostics, evolution, biotechnology
Level: General high school, Advanced high school
Time required: 45-minutes class period
For educational use only.

Reagents for eight lab groups:

Ship-out date: 21-working day
Brand Link: https://www.minipcr.com/product/viral-diagnostics-lab-next-pandemic/