Making molecular biology fun: Fish fraud in Ontario

Connecting the theory and practice in labs in a molecular biology course has been a challenge. Molecular cloning experiments incorporate theory learned in the course in one single experiment, but these types of experiments are long (\u3e8 weeks to see results in our current lab and lecture format), are often unsuccessful by lab groups despite best practices, and may not be applicable to the future lives of graduates of the Chemical Laboratory Technology program. This course is taught by contract faculty, so spending a large amount of time redesigning course content is often not possible. The goal of this exercise was to find a pre-made, short (2 lab sessions maximum) experiment that would incorporate multiple topics learned in the course (DNA extraction, PCR, primer design, gel electrophoresis, PCR cleaning protocols, DNA sequencing, and DNA barcodes) and solidify those theoretical concepts in a practical setting using a protocol relevant to genetic-based molecular investigations in the present day. We used a Fish DNA Barcode kit to examine the frequency of fish mislabeling in restaurants and grocery stores in Southwestern Ontario (a protocol used by the CIFA in Canada and the FDA in the USA for monitoring food fraud). What we found was astounding: few of the samples were labeled correctly, and some were wildly mislabeled. The students were able to complete the experiment with a high success rate, and the experiment performed brings “real-world” experience into the lab environment. Participants in this session will get a detailed walk-through of the experiment, how it relates to course, program, and vocational learning outcomes of the CLT program using a non-traditional laboratory experiment