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Biology

Biologists seek evidence to explain the nature of living things and to understand where and how life is evolving, how evolution links life processes and ecology, and the impact that humans have on all forms of life.

Classroom sets of gel electrophoresis equipment are available on loan to local schools for senior biology students. The equipment, from Invitrogen, uses E-Gels which are self-contained systems containing agarose, electrodes and patented ion-exchange matrices inside a disposable, transparent cassette.

Samples of plasmid (pBR322) will be provided, precut with two restriction enzymes, and a sample of a high-range DNA ladder will also be provided to enable students to identify the fragments on their finished gel.

Each gel has enough wells to be used by two groups of students. A blue-light transilluminator is used to view the finished gels.

The gels take only 10 minutes to run, and the whole process can be completed in one period. However, we do recommend that you take two periods to use this equipment - one period discussing the technology and familiarising the students with the equipment and the protocols and a second period to run the gels.

We also offer teacher resources aligned to the New Zealand curriculum documenting bird life on Rangatira Island in the Chatham Islands.  These are suitable for all age groups. This island is very remote and can only be accessed with a special permit as it is the home to many endangered New Zealand native species including the black robin.

Gel electrophoresis

You will undertake a practical activity to reveal how enzymes can be used to cut DNA plasmids in a controlled way, enabling further genetic investigations. You will also view how an electric current can be used on charged molecules to separate different size pieces.

Classroom sets of gel electrophoresis equipment are available on loan to local schools (Requires pick up from and return to UC) for senior biology students. The equipment, from Invitrogen, uses E-Gels which are self-contained systems containing agarose, electrodes and patented ion-exchange matrices inside a disposable, transparent cassette.

Make a reservation

Note: The kit is available to schools local to the University of Canterbury, the kit must be collected from and returned to UC by the school.

Please check that your proposed dates do not clash with an existing reservation below.

Submit a reservation via the Gel electrophoresis kit reservation form

Please submit your request in good time as gels are perishable so we do not keep a large stock, their delivery time form the USA is can be up to 4 weeks.

Directions to Biological Sciences

Confirmed upcoming reservations 2018

Kit 1Kit 2
25-28 June Burnside High 2 July Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery
30 July - 3 August CGHS   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Walters

Matt Walters

Technician
Science Communication, Digital Imaging, Outreach
Julius von Haast 432
Internal Phone: 95211

Rangatira Island

Birds and their habitats: which bird lives where?

Many different habitats occur on Rangatira Island and these are home to many different bird species. The introduction allows students to see the habitats on the island and be introduced to some of the bird species living there. The worksheet asks students to identify parts of birds and gives some simple information about each bird featured.

Download the resources

The life of scientist

Scientists come to live and work on Rangatira Island for weeks at a time. The scientists rely on all their provisions being delivered by boat. The island has no phone or cell phone coverage or mains electricity or mains water. The scientists are studying the unique bird life on the island and, in particular, the population of black robins on the island. The worksheet asks students to consider what equipment the scientists need for their work and why they need it.

Download the resources

Banding Birds

Much work on Rangatira Island involves monitoring the bird populations that are present. Scientists record this information by placing bands on the legs of the birds on the island. The introduction in this lesson allows students to see how this is done and to discuss why it is important. The worksheet asks students to interpret data from the scientists on Rangatira Island to identify facts about some of the birds living there.

Download the resources

Using keys to identify birds

Rangatira Island is home to many species of birds. This activity provides a classification key to identify some of these birds. The introduction involves identifying arthropods that live on Rangatira Island.

Download the resources

Food Webs

Rangatira Island supports a wide variety of species.  This activity gives students information about some of the species that live on Rangatira Island.  Students require some prior knowledge of food chains and food webs to complete this activity.

Predator

This activity poses exam-style questions that are based on a study of the differential effects of exotic predator-control on nest success of native and introduced birds in New Zealand.

Download the resources

Survivor Aotearoa

This activity is based on a research study investigating the effect of predation level on the nesting behaviour of Bellbirds. The aim is to initiate discussion and interpret the results of this study.

Download the resources

Hatching failure and population bottlenecks

This activity is based on a study investigating the effect of population bottleneck size on hatching failure in birds. To initiate discussion and interpret results of this study.

Download the resources

 

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