In this workshop, students conducted a series of experiments to learn about DNA, genes, proteins, and how macrophages function. First, each student isolated their own DNA from cells in their mouth, which varied in size between students. Next, students used PCR and electrophoresis to study a specific gene and protein. 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 stereomicroscope and UV light, demonstrating their function. The overall goal of the workshop was to understand how DNA, genes, bacteria, and proteins work.

1. University of Puerto Rico<br />Cayey Campus<br />Jessica Díaz Rivera<br />Prof. Elena Gonzalez<br />RISE Program<br />Gene to Protein Workshop<br /> In this workshop given by Patricia Casbas, Rodrigo Gonzalez, Sean Bailey and Daniel Dominguez we started discussing some information about the DNA. In the first experiment each student isolate 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 that the person used to see their own DNA, or maybe the force that the person used to swirl clear Gatorade in the mouth. In the second experiment based on Separation and Detection we did a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to allows 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 did the antibody to detect a specific protein of interest. When we separated the proteins in the electrophoresis we can study the weight. The last workshop was about Macrophage infection with green fluorescent protein bacteria to see how macrophages eat foreign particles, including pathogens, in this case E. coli that was infected by GFP; also in the stereomicroscope we observed the cells of the macrophages and the macrophages with the E. coli; also we used UV light and Lux to saw the E. coli. To conclude all the workshop was about how DNA, genes, bacterias and proteins function. <br />