Gel Electrophoresis
Laura Gallagher
Partner: Rob Einersen
Biology Period D
Mr. Alvarez
15 February 2013 Gel Electrophoresis
Introduction:
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis is a process in which the process of determining whether a strand of DNA is either positively or negatively charged. The container in which the gel is stored has a negative and positive side; whichever side the DNA molecules go to means the DNA is charged the opposite way. (Ware, Lunte, Gardiner)For example if a DNA molecule goes to the negative side that means that the DNA is positively charged and vice versa. The agarose gel is composed of a fine powder substance, water and a buffer solution. The solution must be boiled to its boiling point then you have to pour the solution into a casting mold there also needs to be a comb that leaves six holds in the mold. It must be left in the casting mold for about a half an hour for the gel to solidify. Electrophoresis has a few different uses such as establishing the size of a strand or molecule of DNA or RNA. (Bowen) It can also be used to find out family members or criminals or tests of that manner. This is all possible because of the DNA’s charge and the charge of the molds. Although if a DNA molecule is too big it is not going to be able travel fast through the so it is better for the experiment if the DNA molecules are small. To get the DNA small restriction enzymes are used.(Roberts) Restriction enzymes cut specific DNA molecules in half which helps with the travel through the gel. Before the electrophoresis machine was developed people used to use gravity to separate DNADNA molecules are going to be negative and smaller molecules are going to move farther than the larger molecules.
The purpose of this lab is to learn how to create an agarose gel and properly load a well in an agarose gel. The purpose is also to learning how to use electrophoresis equipment and how to analyze the results of DNA electrophoresis.
Methods and Materials:
Partner: Rob Einersen
Biology Period D
Mr. Alvarez
15 February 2013 Gel Electrophoresis
Introduction:
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis is a process in which the process of determining whether a strand of DNA is either positively or negatively charged. The container in which the gel is stored has a negative and positive side; whichever side the DNA molecules go to means the DNA is charged the opposite way. (Ware, Lunte, Gardiner)For example if a DNA molecule goes to the negative side that means that the DNA is positively charged and vice versa. The agarose gel is composed of a fine powder substance, water and a buffer solution. The solution must be boiled to its boiling point then you have to pour the solution into a casting mold there also needs to be a comb that leaves six holds in the mold. It must be left in the casting mold for about a half an hour for the gel to solidify. Electrophoresis has a few different uses such as establishing the size of a strand or molecule of DNA or RNA. (Bowen) It can also be used to find out family members or criminals or tests of that manner. This is all possible because of the DNA’s charge and the charge of the molds. Although if a DNA molecule is too big it is not going to be able travel fast through the so it is better for the experiment if the DNA molecules are small. To get the DNA small restriction enzymes are used.(Roberts) Restriction enzymes cut specific DNA molecules in half which helps with the travel through the gel. Before the electrophoresis machine was developed people used to use gravity to separate DNADNA molecules are going to be negative and smaller molecules are going to move farther than the larger molecules.
The purpose of this lab is to learn how to create an agarose gel and properly load a well in an agarose gel. The purpose is also to learning how to use electrophoresis equipment and how to analyze the results of DNA electrophoresis.
Methods and Materials:
Bibliography: B. R. Ware, Susan Lunte, Kathleen Gardiner, 2012, "Electrophoresis," in AccessScience, ©McGraw-Hill Education, Retrieved from http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=Electrophoresis&id=226400 Bowen R., 2000, “Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of DNA”, in Colostate, Retrieved from http://arbl.cvmbs.colostate.edu/hbooks/genetics/biotech/gels/agardna.html Richard Roberts, 2012, "Restriction enzyme,” in AccessScience, ©McGraw-Hill Education, Retrieved from http://www.accessscience.com/content.aspx?searchStr=restriction+enzymes&id=584150 2010, “Three Decade Old Murder Mystery Solved Using DNA” , in NBC California, retrieved from http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Three-Decade-Old-Murder-Mystery-Solved-Using-DNA-101944298.html Lohr D., “After 37 Years, Priscilla Ann Blevins ' Disappearance Solved Using DNA”, Huffington Post, Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/priscilla-ann-blevins_n_2059155.html Curry C., 2011, “Cold Case of Murdered 5-Year-Old Alie Berrelez Solved”, ABC News, retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/cold-case-year-murdered-1993-solved-dna/story?id=14510785