An undergraduate laboratory experiment with real-world applications: Utilizing templateless polymerase chain reaction and real-time polymerase chain reaction to test for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

We present a course-embedded undergraduate research module that involves real-time polymerase chain reaction testing for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples. A positive control RNA was constructed and two RNA extraction methods were compared and a range of primers were available to compare. Using a combination of published protocols, we assembled a successful project that illustrated a topical exercise similar to real-world assay development. The exercise is aimed at upper-level undergraduates and requires 3 weeks of laboratory periods. The students were able to design and test experimental protocols, while learning about RNA detection. This project could be utilized in upper-level classes including molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or for independent research projects.