This 3-day workshop covered DNA, genes, proteins, and their functions. The first day focused on DNA structure and how it contains genes with information to create organisms. An experiment was conducted to extract DNA from saliva. The second day covered detecting specific DNA sections. The third day explained how PCR can duplicate desired DNA fragments, which are then separated by size using electrophoresis. This process can also be used to separate proteins by size. The workshop emphasized that DNA contains instructions to make proteins, which perform essential functions in the body.

1. From Gene to Protein Workshop
This workshop consisted of three days of work; it started with the understanding of DNA,
then we continued with the close relationship between genes and proteins, and finished with an
understanding of the function of DNA in the body. The first day we focused on the function and
importance of DNA. By taking a closer look we saw that DNA is made up of nucleotides. These
nucleotides exist in four basic forms, which are present in every organism. All the genes in the
DNA are what contain the necessary information to create a complete organism. The experiment
that was develop for the comprehension of these ideas was DNA extraction- Extract your own
DNA. In this experiment we started with DNA source, in this case we used our saliva. Then
detergent is added for the lysis of the DNA; lysis is the destruction of the cell membrane. Contact
lens solution is added afterwards for the denaturing of the proteins, and finally alcohol is added
for the precipitation of the DNA.
After we got a clear idea of what DNA was, then we learned how to detect certain
sections of the DNA.
Finally, we separated it from the rest of the genome. This technique is called PCR; this
method has many applications like paternity test, forensics, study of fossils and genetic
engineering. Through changes in temperature, PCR completes different cycles that duplicate the
section of DNA desired. After this, the next step is the use of electrophoresis to separate the
DNA fragments by size, and to detect the fragment that you want according the number of bases
that it has. This same process can be done with proteins except proteins that have different
charges through their structure. SDS is added to make the sample all negatively charged. Then
everything is the same as with PCR. You separate the proteins by size. The study of proteins is as
important as the study of DNA, because proteins carry out the instructions that are encoded in
the DNA.
Cristina M. Cruz Irizarry
RISE Program