Friday, January 6, 2017

DNA Extraction

Goals: 

Review what DNA is
Extract DNA from strawberries, bananas, blueberries, cheek cells
Compare DNAs

Background:

Technique: 

Use method described in:  Science Buddies Staff. "Do-It-Yourself DNA" Science Buddies. Science Buddies, 5 Aug. 2014. Web. 6 Jan. 2017

Materials and Equipment 

  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Isopropyl rubbing alcohol, 70% (1/2 cup)
  • Salt (1/2 tsp.)
  • Water
  • Dishwashing liquid (1 tbsp.); Liquid detergent you use for hand washing dishes (e.g., Dawn®)
  • Glass or small bowl
  • Cheesecloth
  • Funnel
  • Tall drinking glass
  • Strawberries (3), bananas, blueberries,...
  • Re-sealable plastic sandwich bag
  • Test tube or small glass jar, e.g., spice jar or baby food jar
  • Bamboo skewer or other thin rod. They are available at grocery stores. Alternatively, you can use a toothpick if your test tube or small glass jar is no taller than a toothpick.
  • Lab notebook

Results: 

Compare DNAs in tubes
Use stirrer to put DNAs on labelled microscope slides - observe

Summary:

Review DNA structure, translation to protein, results of DNA comparison
Review technique fails and successes for next time
Hand out DNA extraction method printout