Today, my mentor taught me how to
denature a given sample. Of the steps that I had to do last week and the week
before that, this process proved to be the easiest. First, I was told to add a
certain measurement of a DNA sample and a certain amount of the formamide
mixture. Formamide is a denaturing agent. In addition, my mentor instructed me
to add a parcel of fluorescent dye—important for locating the DNA when run
through by the electrophoresis capillary machine. (In my case, I added 2
microliters of DNA and dye and 16 microliters of formamide. After creating this
mixture in one vial and wrapping it securely with film, I inserted it into
water that was heated to a temperature of 95 degrees Celsius for approximately
five minutes. While that was taking place, I went downstairs and got a beaker
of ice, which would be needed to cool the heated sample. This last process
would take 15 minutes in total.
Looking at the big picture, this fits in with the whole
concept of capillary electrophoresis as only then will scientists be able to
obtain the best accuracy and precision in sizing the results.
You are getting closer to the actual process!
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing an interesting and informative review of denaturing. I learned a bit of biochemistry while reading.
I appreciate your statement about the big picture of your project. It gives perfect context to your blog post. Well done!
Where is your blog post for 13 March?
ReplyDeleteChristi, why are you still behind?!
ReplyDelete