Gel Electrophoresis Lab Report

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DNA Fingerprinting Using Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Introduction
Agarose gel electrophoresis is a form of gel electrophoresis that can separate a mix of DNA and proteins through agarose gel. It separates DNA by length or size through gel when an electric current is applied. Shorter fragments travel faster than long through the gel allowing for matches to be identified by similarity. The fragment length of DNA is different for each individual because sequences cut at specific sites. PCR or polymerase chain reaction is a technique that is used to replicated small amounts of DNA in a test tube. The replicated DNA is then treated with restriction enzymes, which cut the DNA at their specific sites.

Purpose
The purpose of this lab was to understand how to analyze a series of genetic data from DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis and decode the results.

Materials
Micropipette
Micropipette tips
Premade Agarose gel
Gel electrophoresis machine
DNA samples
‘Marker’ sample
UV light box

Methods
1. 1% agarose gel was made and allowed to solidify, and put in electrophoresis.
2. DNA was incubated with restriction endonuclease.
3. 20 µl of DNA was loaded into each well according to instructions.
4. Gel was run at 100 mV until dye was near the bottom of …show more content…

Skinner was the victim of a murder by pipette. The two suspects were Mr. Runyon and Mr. Bell. Based on the results of the gel electrophoresis, it can be concluded that Mr. Runyon killed Mr. Skinner, because his DNA reacted very similarly to the DNA left behind at the crime scene. Unlike Mr. Runyon, Mr. Bell’s DNA did not react like the sample left behind at the crime scene at all. Mr. Runyon’s, and the crime scenes DNA both ran about the same length up the gel, and at around the same concentration, with bands in the same locations. This shows how the DNA separated, and that both the DNA at the crime scene and Mr. Runyon’s DNA separated across the gel the same, proving Mr. Runyon is the

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