I need some Digestive system ideas for a lab - suggestions?

Here are some ideas that might help you.

1. Extensive histological study: Graduate student can learn how to a) dissect out the tissue specimen; b) fix/prepare the specimen; c) cryostat sectioning or paraffin-embedded sections; d) immunohistochemical workup for (i.e., receptors, ion-pumps, etc.); e) microscopic examination; f) report.

2. In vitro digestive enzymatic studies (Km; Vmax; etc.).

3. Ion flux/transport studies across the intestinal epithelium (this is big topic in molecularl biology/physiology);

4. Identification of splice variants of ion transporters in the intestinal epithelium. Student learn RNA extraction; PCR; RT-PCR; primer design; Gel preparation; electrophoresis; gel analaysis; imaging and photography; gene sequencing; etc.

5. Comparative anatomical studies of the GI tract/digestive system in various vertebrate and invertebrate species.

6. No. 1 - 4 in conjunction with pathological tissue specimens.

7. Multi-laboratory session with respect to embryology of the digestive tract. (embryonic tissue can be injected with marker and this traced through development).