The Science of a GMO: GM Soybean Seed Test Lab

The materials you will need

are one conventional, non-GMO soybean.

One GM soybean.

Two reaction vials or one microliter
micro tube.

Two transfer pipettes.

Two lateral flow test strips.

1% PBS buffer or distilled water.

Four way boots.

Access to tweezers.

Scrupulous paper towels.

Hammer and isopropyl alcohol wipes.

Using the seeds in the GM
soybean sheet kit

allow students to observe and compare
the seeds.

Students should look for observable
differences in shape, size, and color.

Note little to no difference
will be observable in the seeds

as students observe.

Be sure that the two varieties
are kept separate.

Explain to the class that
although the two seeds look the same,

there is a difference between them

and we are going to do an experiment
to try and discover it.

Complete the following lab tests
for the class to see.

Label the micro tubes
for identification of the seed

that will be tested
by labeling one A and the other. Be.

Break the seed by placing one GM soybean

between two small waves
and tapping it with a hammer.

The seed should break into 2 or 3 pieces

to allow enough
surface area to be exposed for extraction.

Note do not crush the seed.

Crushing can cause issues.

Recovering all pieces for extraction

and may cause cross-contamination
of the testing area.

Repeat
this step with the conventional soybean

using separate labels.

Remove the top labels

and place
the seed pieces in the correct micro tube.

If the seed is stuck to the boat, use
tweezers or scoop to gently release it.

Do not touch the seeds with your hands
to avoid cross-contamination.

Clean tweezers
with 70% ethanol or isopropyl

alcohol wipes
to prevent cross-contamination.

If any of the particles of the GMC
sample end up in the conventional sample,

you will get a false positive
on the test strip.

So, it is important to use
different way boats and to clean the scoop

to prevent what we call in the lab
cross-contamination.

Use the pipette to fill the micro tube

with 1% PBS buffer or distilled water.

Approximately 0.5ml.

Using the pipette as a pestle
and the micro tube as a mortar.

Stir in the seed pieces
for about 20 to 30s.

Be sure to stir with separate pipettes
to avoid cross-contamination.

Let the micro tube with the pieces of seed
and distilled water, or 1% PBS buffer.

Stand for 3 to 5 minutes.

Place one lateral flow
test strip inside each vial with

the arrow pointing downward.

Allow the test to

continue in the micro tube
at room temperature for five minutes.

During this time, explain

how the lateral flow strip test works
using the lesson plan.

Interpreting the results.

If the sample contains the CP for protein,
a second

line will develop.

Note if you grow the plants out,

you can also use the leaf tissue as well
instead of the seeds.

Just take a micro tube
sandwich it between the cap and the leaf.

Punch a small hole,

add your PBS buffer
or your distilled water.

Use this as a mortar and pestle.

Crush it up and do the lateral flow
strip test.

Is there a difference
between these two varieties of soybean?

Guided class discussion for students
to conclude that

these two varieties of soybean
are fundamentally the same.

They are both soybeans.

However, one variety has a protein
that the other does not.

Ask students,
how did the seed obtain that protein?

Introduce the concept

that the genome of a plant can be changed
using a variety of methods

in the following months,
and students will learn how these two seed

varieties became different and explore
the impact that a single gene can have.