Date of Experiment: March 7, 2019

Objectives:

• Run gel electrophoresis of PCR sample and control
• Midterm quiz
• Outline poster presentations

Purpose: To observe the concentration of DNA from the PCR sample/control and use these results as well as previous lab findings to begin creating a scientific poster

Materials:

• Agarose Gel
• Gel Electrophoresis Chamber
• 1xTAE Buffer
• Experimental/Control Sample
• DNA Ladder
• Micropipette

Methods:

1. Place agarose gel in a gel electrophoresis chamber
2. Saturate the gel with 1xTAE buffer
3. Transfer 10 uL of DNA ladder in the first well
4. Transfer 10 uL of the experimental sample in the following well
5. Transfer 10 uL of the control sample in the third well
6. With the wells facing towards the positive electrode, run the gel at 100 voltage for about 30 minutes
7. Upon electrophoresis, conduct UV imaging of the gel

Observations:

Results:

The well following the DNA ladder displays a very concentrated pattern which can be attributed to the temperature at which the experimental sample was annealed. Too high or low of a temperature could have cause the DNA to anneal incorrectly, causing the  concentrated pattern seen here.

Conclusion/Discussion:

Gel electrophoresis of the PCR experimental and control samples in comparison to the DNA ladder show the concentration of each sample. The location of the bands within the gel also give insight to how DNA fragments are organized according to size and amount of base pairs. By separating the DNA into such bands, these can be further sequenced and compared with the genetic material of other cell cultures within the lab. Such findings not only give insight to ciliate biodiversity among Baylor soil/trees, but also to how genetic differences allow the ciliates to function effectively.