In this workshop, students learned about DNA, genes, proteins, and bacteria through a series of experiments. First, each student isolated their own DNA from saliva samples, which varied in size between students. Next, students used PCR and electrophoresis to copy and study a specific gene. Then, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was used to separate different sized proteins on a gel. Finally, macrophages were observed consuming GFP-infected E. coli bacteria under a microscope using UV and Lux light to view the fluorescence. The overall workshop covered the process from DNA to proteins and how bacteria function.

1. University of Puerto Rico<br />Cayey Campus<br />Jessica Díaz Rivera<br />Prof. Elena Gonzalez<br />RISE Program<br />Laboratory #4: Gene to Protein Workshop<br /> In this workshop given by Patricia Casbas, Rodrigo González, Sean Bailey, and Daniel Dominguez we discussed some information about DNA. In the first experiment, each student isolated their own DNA using cells from their mouth. The DNA that each student obtained had different sizes because of the variation in the source of DNA, the quantity of saliva the person used to see their own DNA, or the force that the person used to swirl clear Gatorade in their mouth. In the second experiment based on Separation and Detection, we did a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to allow specific fragments of DNA to be copied and amplified. Later we did an electrophoresis to study a single gene out of over 21,000 using a specific protein called Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP). The third experiment was about Proteins and Methods for Detection. We used SDS-PAGE Electrophoresis to separate different sized proteins in polyacrylamide gel. With SDS-PAGE stained with coomassie, we only separated proteins on a polyacrylamide gel. We did not use antibodies to detect a specific protein of interest. When we separated the proteins in the electrophoresis we able to study the weight. The last workshop was about Macrophage infection with green fluorescent protein bacteria to see how macrophages eat foreign particles, including pathogens. Here we studied E. coli that was infected by GFP. We also observed in the stereomicroscope the cells of the macrophages and the macrophages with the E. coli. We also used UV light and Lux to see the E. coli. To conclude all the workshop was about how DNA, genes, bacterias, and proteins function. <br />