Completed November 11, 2011
How to extract your own DNA - how to instructions.
We did this lab twice with two different people extracting DNA through saliva. We did not break down enzymes on either attempt, but may repeat this lab later to see if that yields more DNA samples. The last extraction provided us with multiple DNA samples so we used a pipet to put a small sample on a slide. We didn't stain it. We viewed at 5x, 10x, 100x. We could see strands at lower power magnification, but higher power only revealed cells.
For a better how-to see University of Utah's How to extract DNA from any living thing. Read Frequently Asked Questions for a follow-up of the lab for understanding more of the science behind this lab.
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| The important step of pouring alchohol down the sides of the glass. |
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| This is a DNA strand after about 15 minutes. It's clearly visible, but is easier to see when we shine a flashlight through the glass. |
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| This is DNA extracted from the second person when viewed through the side of the glass. |
