Abstract
A new program, analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), started in the Basic Medical Experiment Course for 3rd grade students of Nihon University School of Medicine. After hearing lectures about SNP, polymerase chain reac-tion (PCR), and ethical rules regarding human samples, students extracted DNA from their own saliva and examined SNPs for aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and actinin 3 (ACTN3) genes with allele-specific amplification PCR and TaqMan SNP genotyping PCR, respectively. ALDH2 is involved in ethanol metabolism and its SNP is associated with ethanol tolerance. ACTN3 is an actin-binding protein in skeletal muscles and its SNP is differently associated with sprint and endurance athletes at the Olympic level. Students discussed their genotypes and the reported phenotypes with great interest. The application of a new molecular biology technique in medical science during a student experiment program could have great educational effects on medical students.
