JESSICA PARTIN

GEL ELECTROPHORESIS

o A method used in biology to separate DNA strands to create a DNA fingerprinto Separates the DNA by size lengths o Uses an electric current to separate DNA

WHAT IS GEL ELECTROPHORESIS?

FINAL PRODUCT

Extract DNA from organism and place

in tubes

STEP 1

Polymerase Chain Reaction

STEP 2

(this is before the process of gel electrophoresis)

*this is used to make millions of copies of the DNA

PCR STEPS Denature= rips apart DNA

Lasts about 1 minute At about 94˚F

Annealing= starts the coping DNALasts about 45 secondsAt about 54˚F

Extension= finishes copying DNALasts about 3-5 minutesAt about 72˚F

Repeat 30-40 times

STEP 3

Place restriction enzymes in DNA

(This cuts the DNA into different lengths)

STEP 4

Dye the DNA and place it into gel

(the gel is usually agarose gel)

STEP 5

Run electrical current though gel

(negative to positive)

STEP 6

Place in stain, then under UV lighting.

The smallest DNA fragments move the fastest and farthest

USES Evidence in criminal cases To determine paternity To diagnose genetic diseases Help to determine kinship in animals

Compare similarities and differences between species

PROS VS. CONSSmall amount of

starting material (DNA) needed

DNA can be detected regardless of size

of DNA

Hazardous material

Expensive

Very time consuming

*The Macgyver Project used gel electrophoresis

FUNNIES;)

GO TO THIS WEBSITE:

learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/gel

This is a very helpful interactive site that I got most of my information from. If you would like to know more about gel electrophoresis in more detail, I highly suggest this site!