Biotechnology Science Fair Project Idea: Gel Electrophoresis and Forensic Science

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science...

In this Biotechnology Project Idea, the Science Buddies Summer Science Fellows demonstrate how to construct your own gel electrophoresis chamber, the technology behind DNA analysis, and use it to compare molecules in different colors of food coloring dye. You can see the full science experimental procedure for this science fair project idea—and do it yourself!—in 'Forensic Science: Building Your Own Tool for Identifying DNA' project idea at Science Buddies. This includes details on construction, variables, and data collection as well as guidelines on developing the experiment into a full science fair project. Science Buddies also hosts a library of over 1000 other free science fair project ideas.

Project Category: Biotechnology

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  Science & Technology

[AngelDLacarriere]

Hey you guys! I'm making an electrophoresis chamber for my class and well, I wanted to run DNA that was previously dyed with methylene blue. Thing is, I have to make it as 'homemade' as possible and I can't use Agarose nor Agar-Agar (even if they're relatively easy to come by, it seems my teacher does not qualify them at something you would find at home, eh) Anywho, question is, would this work using common gelatin for running DNA? I'm not looking for it to be too detailed, just want it to run!

[ScienceBuddiesTV]

Part of exploring science is to try things out yourself! Run a test and see if the common gelatin will work. Let us know what you discover!

[Shantanu Nair]

HEY! Thanks a lot ScienceBuddiesTV , but i have a question , and its kinda urgent!

Why use Stainless steel? Can i use Copper wires instead? And how do i know if i have stainless steel or normal steel? Also today i tried it out with paperclips and it became REALLY yucky and brown is and it totally screwed up D: .... Any idea what i can do ? i have no idea where i can get stainless steal Wires from D: Please help me .. THANKS :D

[ScienceBuddiesTV]

These are great questions, Streetsmartdude. You can use the free Ask an Expert forums to get help answers from our Experts. To get there, go to Science Buddies website and click the Ask an Expert tab.

[AshleyEvans306]

I want to do this for my school's science exhibition. I tried it out yesterday but it didn't work properly. The green color split into yellow only, I couldn't see blue anywhere. Could you guys please tell me what went wrong? It'd be really helpful. Also, since agarose powder is really expensive, I was wondering whether there's a cheaper substitute for it... Please help! Thanks in advance :)

[Hala Al-Ramahi]

Is it possible to use real DNA in this project? I was thinking it would be more interesting this way, but dont know how to do it. Can anyone please help me or tell wether or not this idea will even work?

[Mohamed el saadany]

please guys help me with my project u guys are awsome

[Mohamed el saadany]

hey guys, ur prjct is pretty nice and i wanted to ask you about the cone wells , how to make it properly

[selva ghelaney]

how do u do that?

[DoraDaExplora44]

@LiveLifeInLeopard Are you doing the "Who Done it" science project? I'm doing that one, too. Please help me. The results are due next week and I have no materials. Did you buy the really expensive kit from bio rad? Is there a way I could add DNA and restriction enzymes to the method and materials they have here? Please Help!!!

[Vickie Perez-Marrero]

i did this for science project my teacher was very inpressed

[LiveLifeInLeopard]

@sciencebuddiestv

hi! i ordered the kit and it came w/ 4g of agarose. I want to do 3 different trials. How much agarose do i need per trial?????? thanks, this is kinda urgent!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vickie Perez-Marrero]

where did u buy the agarose powder

[Vinod Chatlani]

Heyyy! I'm doing the same thing.. I can't use agarose too.. :( It's really hard to get it here.. But hey did it work? Cuz I'm ding this project and I have t present it this Friday.. So did it work with a normal gelatin?