Visualize authentic molecular biology concepts with our easy-to-use BioBits® cell-free system

Topics like the Central Dogma and protein structure and function are critical for biology students to grasp, but difficult to teach in a hands-on way. That’s where our BioBits® cell-free system comes in.

BioBits is a cell-free protein expression system you can use to make core biology topics come to life. BioBits is easy to use in the classroom, because students simply add DNA to express a variety of proteins. The system is ideal for educational uses ranging from the demonstration of fundamental cellular processes to hands-on synthetic biology, and unlike other popular classroom labs, doesn’t require you to culture living bacteria.

miniPCR bio now offers three great options for hands-on labs using the BioBits system that demonstrate a variety of molecular biology concepts. Wondering what the differences between the labs are and which one is right for you?

BioBits® Central Dogma: A hands-on lab to teach the central dogma. Visualize the flow of genetic information as you use the BioBits system to express RNA and proteins. RNA glows green and protein glows red, so students can watch transcription and translation in real time.

BioBits® Protein Structure and Function: A hands-on lab to teach protein structure and function. Examine the primary, secondary, and tertiary structures of fluorescent proteins and predict protein function, then produce the proteins to test your predictions. Optional bioinformatics activity included.

BioBits® Antibiotic Resistance: Study antibiotic resistance mechanisms without the need to grow cells. Test the effect of two antibioitcs on protein synthesis, and examine how resistance genes act in an antibiotic-specific manner.

See what these labs require in your classroom:

Related resources

• BioBits Learning Labs
• Video: Introducing BioBits
• DNAdots: Cell-free Protein Synthesis