Restriction enzyme mapping of bacterial urease genes: using degenerate primers to expand experimental outcomes

Abstract

Two degenerate primers are described that can be used to amplify a 340 bp fragment of the ureC gene from a variety of urease producing bacteria. A series of experiments are outlined that enable students to develop restriction maps of the urease gene clusters from different bacteria. Students learn a variety of molecular biology techniques including polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis, and Southern blotting. This project allows for multiple experimental outcomes using the same two PCR primers. © 2001 IUBMB. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.