practical 9 in a pea-pod...

Can you believe how time has flown - you are now on the verge of your last two practicals this term! 

image taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pea

! The next two practical are connected !
- some of what you do in the first practical will give you results in the next practical

Your last practicals will be all about isolating DNA (from peas), and analysing DNA. 

In the first week you will be isolating DNA from peas and then assessing the purity of the DNA you have isolated, and the concentration of the DNA. You will also be setting up PCR reactions designed to amplify a specific region of a gene from DNA extracted from both round peas and wrinkled peas.

In the second week you will be analysing the results of your PCR reactions using agarose gel electrophoresis.

Here is a step-by-step day plan to day 1:

DAY 1 (Tuesday of week 10)

ACTIVITY 1 : Isolate DNA from peas. You should watch the video on VITAL about spooling DNA - this will help!

ACTIVITY 2 : Use a spectrophotometer to asses the quality of the DNA you have isolated

ACTIVITY 3 : Set up PCR reactions designed to amplify a specific gene from round and wrinkled peas --> you will be analysing the results using agarose gel electrophoresis in the next practical...

I will be putting up posts related to this practical soon - enjoy. :)