1. Laboratory #4: Extract your own DNA, DNA Separation and Detection, and
Proteins and Methods for detection
Chappell Hill Graduate Students
There are complex molecules that perform most of the work in cells, these are
proteins. DNA is the same for everybody. What change is the organization of its bases.
Proteins are present in the DNA but they may be expressed or not expressed. During the
weekend of February 25 -27, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, provided
us with an amazing workshop and laboratories about innovative concepts of genetics and
bacteria. The first official laboratory activity was an extraction of our DNA. By swirling
Gatorade in our mouth and then adding an isotonic solution like soap, we extracted our
DNA and saw it. Later, we worked with the technique of Polymerase Chain Reaction
(PCR) that allows specifics segments of DNA from a specimen to be copied and
amplified in order to compare and analyze results. In the workshop, we managed a master
mix solution that was added to the different samples. After, we conducted electrophoresis
to separate the DNA fragments or proteins based on their size, shape, and charge. It is
important to note that the DNA has a negative charge, and when we conduct
electrophoresis, it will transport the DNA from the negative pole to the positive pole.
Another experiment that we did in the laboratory was macrophage infection with green
fluorescent protein. Through it, we saw how the bacteria lux and GFP (Green Fluorescent
Protein) is present when exposed to UV light. The application of this protocol can be
used in the detection of new diseases like cancer tumors. The greenish color allows the
visualization of such cells.