Alu PCR Lab
Overview
In this Lab we were tasked to take our cheek cells and amplify them so that we can see our DNA. That way we can determine if whether or not we have a certain "extra strand" part of our DNA. To do this we used PCR. (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Materials:
- Cheek cells
-Chelex
-Master Mix
-Primer mix
-Agarose gel
-DNA saline solution
-Centrifuge
-Microfuge tubes
-Heat block
-20/200/1000 micropipets
-Microfuge tubes
-Tube rack
Purpose
To determine the frequency of the Alu insert in the STEM bio class using PCR.
Process
1) Take cheek cells and it put into saline solution
2) Centrifuge then "rack" the cells
3) Pour out supernatant
4) Transfer cells to 5% chelex
5) Insert cap lock and place on heating block
6) Then centrifuge
7) Transfer to another microfuge tube
8) Place in Agarose gel and wait for analysis
Results
Through this lab I found my genotype to be +- or what is called heterozygous. In our class I would say 2/3 of our class was heterozygous though about 1/3 were homozygous (including my friend). If you have a homozygous genotype that means that you either have a ++ or a -- (plus plus or minus minus).
Below is the picture of my gel that my group created
Conclusion
Although we did run into many complications including a mix up of our experiments and having it so that we had to completely restart the experiment, it was still sort of fun. Though not the greatest experiment it was interesting to see whether or not I had that certain Alu extension. Overall I thought that this was a nice simple experiment to start off the year. It kept me interested and was, like I said, was fun to see if I had a unique part in my DNA.
In this Lab we were tasked to take our cheek cells and amplify them so that we can see our DNA. That way we can determine if whether or not we have a certain "extra strand" part of our DNA. To do this we used PCR. (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Materials:
- Cheek cells
-Chelex
-Master Mix
-Primer mix
-Agarose gel
-DNA saline solution
-Centrifuge
-Microfuge tubes
-Heat block
-20/200/1000 micropipets
-Microfuge tubes
-Tube rack
Purpose
To determine the frequency of the Alu insert in the STEM bio class using PCR.
Process
1) Take cheek cells and it put into saline solution
2) Centrifuge then "rack" the cells
3) Pour out supernatant
4) Transfer cells to 5% chelex
5) Insert cap lock and place on heating block
6) Then centrifuge
7) Transfer to another microfuge tube
8) Place in Agarose gel and wait for analysis
Results
Through this lab I found my genotype to be +- or what is called heterozygous. In our class I would say 2/3 of our class was heterozygous though about 1/3 were homozygous (including my friend). If you have a homozygous genotype that means that you either have a ++ or a -- (plus plus or minus minus).
Below is the picture of my gel that my group created
Conclusion
Although we did run into many complications including a mix up of our experiments and having it so that we had to completely restart the experiment, it was still sort of fun. Though not the greatest experiment it was interesting to see whether or not I had that certain Alu extension. Overall I thought that this was a nice simple experiment to start off the year. It kept me interested and was, like I said, was fun to see if I had a unique part in my DNA.