miniPCR® Shark Lab: Great White Migration

Students use DNA fingerprinting to explore shark ecology in this engaging gel electrophoresis activity.

• Techniques: Micro pipetting, gel electrophoresis

• Topics: Genetics, environmental science, conservation biology
• Level: Introductory high school, advanced middle school
• Time required: One 45-minute class period

Are white sharks migrating across oceans? In this lab, students join a team of scientists who have noticed a similar-looking shark fin off the coasts of Australia, California, Hawai’i, and South Africa. Using DNA fingerprinting, students determine whether an individual shark is migrating across oceans to reach these different coastal waters. This gel electrophoresis lab provides an introduction to DNA-based identification in an ecology context. Perfect for introductory high school or advanced middle school classes, this activity explores the importance of white sharks in marine ecosystems and how scientific research can inform conservation efforts.