Cholesterol Diagnostic Lab Activity

Simulate Testing for the FH Gene

Elevated blood cholesterol has been established as a serious risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke which are leading causes of death in the United States. A disease known as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) causes an increase in blood levels of the ""bad"" form of cholesterol, known as low density lipoprotein (LDL). In this experiment, a simulated genetic test for FH is demonstrated in which patients are tested for a DNA polymorphism linked to the FH gene.

Kit includes: instructions, Ready-to-Load™ QuickStrip™ DNA samples, UltraSpec-Agarose™ powder, practice gel loading solution, electrophoresis buffer, InstaStain® Blue and FlashBlue™ stain, calibrated pipette, and microtipped transfer pipettes.

Required, but not included: electrophoresis apparatus, power supply, automatic micropipette and tips, balance, microwave or hot plate, visualization system.