Mapping a mutation in Caenorhabditis elegans using a polymerase chain reaction-based approach

Many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified within the Caenorhabditis elegans genome. SNPs present in the genomes of two isogenic C. elegans strains have been routinely used as a tool in forward genetics to map a mutation to a particular chromosome. This article describes a laboratory exercise in which undergraduate students use molecular biological techniques to map a mutation to a chromosome using a set of SNPs. Through this multi-week exercise, students perform genetic crosses, DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme digests, agarose gel electrophoresis, and analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Students then analyze their results to deduce the chromosomal location of the mutation. Students also use bioinformatics websites to develop hypotheses that link the genotype to the phenotype.