[Laboratory design and practice for undergraduates: Using RNAi to modulate gene expression].

RNA interference is a gene silencing phenomenon mediated by short double-stranded RNAs, which has become a widely used research technology for reverse genetics. In order to make students understand the technology better, the students were required to select target genes, to design small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and primers, and then to test the effect of gene silencing mediated by siRNAs. Taking the fifth group in 2018 as an example, Mus musculus acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 1 (Acsl1) was selected as the target gene, two pairs of siRNAs targeting Acsl1 mRNA were designed and transfected into 3T3-L1 by electroporation, then the total RNAs were extracted and synthesized to cDNA, and the expression levels of mRNAs were finally tested by relative quantitative PCR. The results showed that both pairs of siRNAs had more than 60% silencing effects. In the past three years, about 83% of the students completed all the experiments successfully and screened out at least a pair of effective siRNA. This teaching practice for undergraduates enhances students' understanding of RNA interference principle and technology, and exercises students' lab experience and scientific research ability.

Utilization of Caenorhabditis elegans in laboratory teaching of genetics.

Caenorhabditis elegans is one of the most important model organisms in the study of biology. It is ideal for laboratory teaching due to its short life cycle and low cost. It enriches the teaching content and can motivate students' interest of learning. In this article, we have shown cased C. elegans for the observation of life cycle and mating, as well as the investigation of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and RNA interfere. In addition, we also discuss the details of the experimental design, basic requirement, preparations and related information. We conclude that C. elegans can be used as the experimental materials for teaching college laboratory courses, such as genetic, cell biology, model biology and developmental biology.