Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)
Developing a Protocol for the Isolation of Lichen DNA for Educators to Use in DNA Barcoding Projects
Publication Date
2023
College
Sciences and Mathematics, College of
Department
Biology, Department of
BURS Faculty Advisor
Darlene Panvini, Chris Barton
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
Lichens are bioindicators of air quality due to sensitivity to atmospheric pollutants. Easily collected by students, lichens can be used to address a variety of ecological questions. For this study, lichens were collected from trees and fallen limbs along a high-traffic street and a park in Nashville, Tennessee. Fungal DNA was extracted using Promega and Qiagen DNA isolation kits then amplified using PCR. While this procedure has worked in the past, current challenges indicate that a simple universal protocol is needed so educators can use lichen DNA barcoding in undergraduate research and lab courses. The DNA isolation kits were analyzed based on length of trial, ease of understanding, and level of difficulty to complete. Information sheets created for each kit were supplemented with lichen collection protocols, PCR procedures, and DNA sequence analyses. A comparison of lichen diversity at the two sites was used to test the efficacy of these methods.
Recommended Citation
Jeffries, Shannon M. and Hatem, Remah O., "Developing a Protocol for the Isolation of Lichen DNA for Educators to Use in DNA Barcoding Projects" (2023). Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS). 276.
https://repository.belmont.edu/burs/276
