Teaching kits for Arabidopsis
Donated by
- Maarten Koornneef Laboratory of Genetics, Plant Sciences Group, Wageningen University
- Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center
- John Bowman Department of Plant Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of California, Davis
- Alan M. Jones Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Amber Vogel Morehead Planetarium and Science Center (MPSC) Annex, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Justin Borevitz Department of Ecology and Evolution, Division of Biological Sciences , University of Chicago
- Chris Somerville Department of Plant Biology, The Carnegie Institution of Washington
- Shauna Somerville Department of Plant Biology, The Carnegie Institution of Washington
- Jian-Kang Zhu Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Riverside
- Ruth Finkelstein Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, College of Letters and Science, University of California, Santa Barbara
- Carrie Schneider Monsanto USA, Monsanto
- Jan Zeevaart MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University
- Sarah Hake The Plant Gene Expression Center
- Allan Shapiro Delaware Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Delaware
- Chu Zhang Delaware Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Delaware
- Michael Sussman Department of Biochemistry, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Emma Knee Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center (ABRC), The Ohio State University
- Luz Rivero ABRC, Department of Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology , College of Biological Sciences, The Ohio State University
- Eric Brenner Dyson College of Arts and Science, Pace University
- Caroline Dean Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre
- Clare Lister Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre
- Susan Wessler Department of Plant Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia
- Elizabeth Boedeker Centre for Plant and Life Sciences, St. Louis Community College
- Eilene Lyons Mathematics, Science, Engineering and Technology, St. Louis Community College
- Kim Loney Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario
- Scott Poethig Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
- Linda Robinson Department of Biology, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania
- Sarah Wyatt Department of Environmental and Plant Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Ohio University
- Christine Fleet Biology Dept. Emory & Henry College
- Mary Williams Department of Biology, Harvey Mudd College
- Caren Chang Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland
- Shinjiro Yamaguchi Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University
- John Chandler Institute for Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Cologne
- Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre
- Lazaro Eustaquio Pereira Peres Department of Biological Science, The University of São Paulo
- Tara Phelps-Durr Biology Department, College of Science and Technology, University of Radford
Click here to view all 27 of these lines.
Description
Apart from the 'Plant Curiosity Kit', all of these education kits have been created by ABRC as part of their education and outreach programme. Some of them are part of specific American teaching modules but all can be followed as documentation and teaching aids are available from their website.
WARNING: Some of the kits contain transgenic material. If a kit contains transgenic material it is stated in its description. Order one of these kits only if approved to work with transgenic material.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order these kits from NASC. Click on the headings of the kits to order. Some are free of charge but others do incur a small fee.
A summary of all the teaching kits available is found in the table below. Further descriptions of each teaching kit can be found below this.
Plant Curiosity Kit
This Plant 'Curiosity' Kit (N4004) is intended to encourage students to appreciate that mutant plants are interesting. The contents are simply a mix of seeds from several strikingly different Arabidopsis mutants. These can be planted out in the school or home and will grow in a matter of weeks to show variability. They will readily produce viable seeds that can then be replanted to demonstrate inheritance.
This kit is free to schools* that are teaching biology or general science to children with these resources.
* Following very many enquiries, 'Schools' in University Departments are not included in this definition and 'children' are expected to be under the age of consent / voting age. More importantly, other stocks, notably including transgenic lines may not be included in this order.
Click here for more information about this kit, including how to grow the seeds.
The kit contains the following seeds:
| Stock No. | Plant | Phenotype Description |
|---|---|---|
| NW20 |
Landsberg erecta | Wild Type |
| NW30 |
brevipedicellus | seed pods bend downwards and the stem is kinked |
| N31 |
eceriferum | Plant with bright green stem |
| NW41 |
chlorina | Small yellow green plant |
| N45 |
clavata | Plant with bent club shaped seed pods |
| N64 |
glabra | Plant with no hairs on the leaves |
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Reconstructing The Evolution Of Cauliflower And Broccoli
This set of 3 stocks (N6161, NW20, N28) are used in the US teaching module "RECONSTRUCTING THE EVOLUTION OF CAULIFLOWER AND BROCCOLI".
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Same Genes, Different Fate
This set of 3 stocks (N68100, N68101 & N70000) is used in the module "Same Genes, Different Fates". The goal of this module is to introduce students to the concept of differential gene expression, a process by which cells with identical genetic information give rise to cells with different structures and functions (specialized cells). The lab portion includes the analysis of gene expression of two Arabidopsis genes: MLO9 (involved in chlorophyll production) and MLO4 (involved in root celll division) in Arabidopsis seedlings, using GUS reporter gene.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Play Mendel
This set of 4 seed stocks (NW20, NW25, N28169 & N28175) is used in the "PLAY MENDEL" module, a part of our American sister stock centre ABRC "Greening the Classroom" Teaching Modules. Students are first introduced to the causal relationship of genetic mutation and morphological variation by growing Arabidopsis plants with different genetic backgrounds ("wild type" and mutant) in their classrooms. Next, they follow and analyze inheritance and segregation of a trait (e.g. floral mutations, leaf hairs) to understand concepts central to Mendelian genetics.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
How Can Plants Tell Which Way Is Up?
This set of 2 seed stocks (N907, N210) is used to test mutant (pgm-1) and wild-type (Col) response to gravity, described in the publication "How Can Plants Tell Which Way Is Up?". The set of lab exercises described in this publication enables students to understand the basis of gravitropic response using starch synthesis mutant. It also introduces scientific concepts such as hypothesis testing and other statistical analyses.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Think Green
This set of 10 seed stocks (N70000, N76164, N28828, N22574, N28722, N6252, N3862, N21, N22, N8105) is used in the "THINK GREEN" module, a part of our American sister stock centre ABRC "Greening the Classroom" Teaching Modules. In this module, students will investigate how plant genotype and natural variation influence plant responses to environmental conditions and how this affects survival in a changing environment.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Life in Bloom
This set of 5 stocks is used in the LIFE IN BLOOM module, a part of ABRC Greening the Classroom Teaching Modules. Students will compare the germination rate of mutants defective in the early (ga1) and late (ga5) steps of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis with the corresponding wild type (non-mutant), Ler, as well as comparing a mutant in GA sensing and response (gai-1). By comparing germination rates and totals in seeds grown in water or GA solution under light or dark conditions, students will gain an understanding of the requirement for GA in germination. They will also observe how supplying exogenous GA can reverse the phenotypes of some mutants, but not of others.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Promoter-Driven GUS Reporter Gene Expression
This set of 11 seed stocks (N25261, N16358, N25262, N3763, N6141, N6357, N6497, N70756, N70764, N8849) is used to demonstrate use of native promoter-driven reporter gene expression. Students will be able to observe distinct Beta-glucuronidase (GUS) expression patterns determined by the promoters of 11 genes with a very well-known function. Note that CS6357 and CS16358 represent translational fusions and nine other lines all represent transcriptional fusions.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Who Turned Out The Lights?
This set of 4 stocks (NW20, N6213, N6219, N6224) is used in the "WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?" module. Students will learn how plants sense differences in their light environment through the action of photoreceptors and respond by modifying their growth and development. The set includes wild type (non-mutant) Ler seeds, phytochrome A and phytochrome B mutant seeds, and double mutant seed in which both photoreceptors are mutated in the same plant.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Germination
This set of 5 stocks (N70000, N76390, N76412, N76384, N76387) is used in the US teaching module module "Germination". These natural variants, including a lab strain and four locally adapted lines from different climates, illustrate the variation in light and temperature requirements for germination in Arabidopsis. Students will germinate seeds in light and darkness following a 3 day cold (stratification) period or without stratification an observe differences in germination in the different natural variants.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Genetics of Inbred Arabidopsis
This is a 4-8 week module for upper high school courses such as Genetics, Biotechnology, Honors or AP Biology, also well suited for undergraduate courses. Prior student background: Basic biology and genetics.
Designed as a whole-class experiment, students work in teams to understand genotypic variation among recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of the model organism Arabidopsis thaliana. Seeds are used from two parent lines, Columbia and Landsberg, as well as numerous recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed by crossing the parent lines. In a guided inquiry investigation, students sow and cultivate all the plants in the same controlled environments (to minimize variation due to environment), and monitor traits to observe genetic variation among the RILs. Protocols are provided to investigate whether given traits are continuous (quantitative) traits - the result of multiple genes, or if they are discrete traits - the result of a single gene. In addition to this guided inquiry, students may also choose other traits to investigate. Students can even propose whether a continuous trait is linked to one of the discrete traits or not. Student teams pool data with other teams in the class to analyze trends and patterns, such as identifying continuous versus discrete traits, and determining potential genetic linkages among traits. Students communicate with scientist mentors online to discuss their experiment, from generating questions to constructing evidence-based conclusions.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Transposing From The Laboratory To The Classroom
This set of 6 stocks (N67774, N67775, N67776, N67777, N67778, N67779) is used in the US teaching module "TRANSPOSING FROM THE LABORATORY TO THE CLASSROOM". The module is a modified version of a published experiment where students experience how virtual transposable elements from rice (Oryza sativa) are assayed for function in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana. As part of the module, students analyze the phenotypes and genotypes of transgenic plants to determine the requirements for transposition. After mastering the skills and concepts, students participate in an authentic research project where they use computational analysis and PCR to detect transposable element insertion site polymorphism in a panel of diverse maize strains.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Molecular Genotyping of Arabidopsis
This set of 2 stocks (NW20, N290) is used in the US teaching module "Molecular Genotyping of Arabidopsis". The goal of this laboratory is to introduce students to the action of transposons, plant DNA extraction and the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to compare diploid genotypes. A transposon insertion is identified in curly leaf (clf-2) mutant and Ler wild-type is used as a control.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Expression Analysys of Light Regulated Genes
This set of 2 stocks (N6158, N39005) is used in the module "EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF LIGHT-REGULATED GENES IN THE det1-1 MUTANT". The module is based on light signaling pathways in plants, specifically Arabidopsis. Over the course of three labs, students are introduced to the techniques of RNA isolation and Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) for the purpose of analyzing differences in mRNA content of light-regulated genes between wild-type and det1-1 mutant samples. First, students are able to assess phenotypic differences between wild-type and det1-1 plants grown in the presence or absence of light. Next, through RT-PCR students gain an understanding of how mutation in one gene can cause downstream effects in signaling pathways to alter the response to light.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Genetics of Arabidopsis thaliana
This set of 2 stocks (N70000, N6955) can be used to generate F2 plants used in the US teaching module "Genetics of Arabidopsis thaliana". In this module students use F2 plants of a dihybrid cross between gl1-1 hy4-B104 (cry1) double mutant and Col wild-type to follow the segregation of two independent traits as well as to explore the relationship between genotype and phenotype using molecular methods. Recommended for use in college-level courses.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
The gps Mutants of Arabidopsis
This set of 4 stocks (N2360, N67144, N67145, N67146) is used to demonstrate a range of altered responses to gravity of shoots and hypocotyls at room temperature after gravistimulation at 4C. It contains Ws wild type and gps mutants: no response (gps1), wrong way (gps2) and over achiever (gps3). GPS1 is a cytochrome P450 subunit, the identity of GPS2 and GPS3 is not known.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Plant Anatomy Set
This set of 8 GFP seed lines (N9210, N9217, N9244, N9245, N9247, N9249, N9251, N9266) from J. Haseloff and screened by Sarah Wyatt has been identified as a plant anatomy set for use in undergraduate / beginning graduate courses; this set includes lines expressing GFP in roots, shoots and flowers.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Regulation of Lateral Root Growth
This set of 3 stocks (N68141, N68142, N68143 ) is used in the US teaching module "Regulation of Lateral Root Growth" to introduce students to the usefulness of reporter constructs in transgenic systems to study gene expression. Students will learn the role of auxin in the stimulation of genes that lead to the formation of lateral roots using GUS staining.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Play Mendel Basic
This set of two stocks (N20, N25) is used to guide students through the process of investigating reference and mutant strains of Arabidopsis to learn about Mendelian genetics. Through these activities students will learn about concepts such as growth and development, anatomy, variation, segregation, inheritance, phenotypes and genotypes.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Genetics of Floral Development
This set of ten stocks (N20, N25, N28, N3085, N6227, N6229, N6239, N6939, N28169, N65826) is used to used to demonstrate concepts presented in the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology module "Genetics of Floral Development". This module explores the ABCDE model of floral organ development.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Understanding the Influence of Mutations on Protein Structure and Function
This set of three stocks (N69042, N69043, N79061) can be used with the "Understanding the Influence of Mutations on Protein Structure and Function" module available through CourseSource. In this module, computational molecular modeling is used to demonstrate how DNA mutations cause phenotypes. ASYMMETRIC LEAVES1 and 2 (AS1 and AS2) mutants affecting leaf development are used as an example of this link. The module includes the computational modeling of the AS1 and AS2 normal and mutant proteins. Recommended for Sophomore/Junior Undergraduate level.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Life in Bloom - Basic
This set of two stocks (N20, N3103) can be used with the "Life in Bloom Basic" module. In this module, students will compare the germination rate of mutants defective in the early (ga1) step of gibberellic acid (GA) biosynthesis with the corresponding wild type (non-mutant). By comparing germination rates and totals in seeds grown in water or GA solution, students will gain an understanding of the requirement for GA in germination. They will also observe how supplying exogenous GA can reverse the phenotypes of the ga1 mutant. .
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Gibberellic Acid Physiology and Plant Transformation
This set of three seed stocks and two DNA stocks(N16549, N62, N20, N2107936, N2107937) can be used with the "Gibberellic Acid Physiology and Plant Transformation" module to introduce GA (gibberellic acid) hormone physiology and plant transformation in an undergraduate laboratory module. In this module, Arabidopsis ga5 semi-dwarf mutant plants with reduced activity of GA 20-oxidase are transformed with a construct containing the GA5 gene. The dwarf mutant plants transformed with a wild-type version of the gene show normal size, demonstrating successful complementation of the mutant phenotype. Besides visual observation of the phenotype, students learn additional techniques, including PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis. This experiment is cost effective and can be completed within a 4-month term. "
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Introduction to Phytohormones
This set of ten seed stocks and two DNA stocks(N20, N62, N399, N1138, N3798, N3835, N8053, N9565, N9817, N28169) can be used to demonstrate concepts presented in the following Teaching Tools in Plant Biology modules: Introduction to Phytohormones, The Story of Auxin, Abscisic Acid, Brassinosteriods, Cytokinins, Ethylene, Gibberellins, and Strigolactones. By growing and observing this set of stocks students will see how mutations affecting hormone pathways and signaling can affect the phenotype of resulting plants."
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Leaf Development 2 (Genetic Control of Leaf Development)
This set of ten seed stocks (N1644, N3826, N6140, N16485, N28169, N28175, N67862, N67887, N69042, N77128) can be used to demonstrate the concepts presented in the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology module "Leaf Development 2 (Genetic Control of Leaf Development)". This module explores the genetic controls that influence how a leaf is formed. The ten stocks included in this kit include seven mutants with their corresponding reference strains. By growing and observing this set of seeds students will see how mutations can affect various areas of leaf development including identity, polarity, size and shape, and differentiation.
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Plant Curiosity Advanced module
This set of six seed stocks (N20, N30, N31, N41, N45, N64) can be used with the Plant Curiosity Advanced module to demonstrate a variety of science concepts. By observing the growth of this set of seeds, students will see how different mutations can affect the phenotype of Arabidopsis plants. This module requires 19 weeks for completion of all of the planting procedures and assignments. A shortened version of this module is available as the Plant Curiosity Basic module (CS4004), which requires seven weeks for completion..
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.
Molecular Control of Shoot Architecture
This set of ten stocks can be used to demonstrate the concepts presented the Teaching Tools in Plant Biology module “Molecular Control of Shoot Architecture”. This module explores plant growth, development and pattern generation. The ten stocks in this kit include one natural accession, and seven mutants with their corresponding reference strains. By growing and observing this set of seeds, students will see the effect of various mutations on plant development. .
Warning:This kit contains transgenic material. Order this kit only if approved to work with transgenic material.
For more information see the ABRC Education and Outreach pages.
If you are NOT in the US or The Americas please order this kit from NASC.