PTC taster lab

Our Programmes

Genotype to phenotype: PTC taster lab

Never like eating vegetables because you find them too bitter? Different people have different sensitivity to taste. Learn about how our gene affects our sense of taste from this tinyLab lesson. Put on your scientific thinking caps and experience how to run an experiment like a pro!

Price: $183.12 per group (including GST)

Prices with effect from 1 Jan 2024

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Program Details

Students will assess their ability to taste and determine how that ability correlates with their genotype at the TAS2R38 locus, which encodes for a taste receptor expressed in gustatory papillae. Students will extract their own DNA from their cheek cells, perform PCR and gel electrophoresis to visualise the result.

Learning Outcomes

  • DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis.
  • Learn about the molecular physiology of taste.
  • Micropipetting skills.
  • Understand the link between genotype and phenotype.

Total Estimated Time Period

150 mins

Difficulty Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Equipment Used

  • Micro-pipettes
  • miniPCR blueGel™ gel electrophoresis tank
  • miniPCR mini8 thermocycler