...Agarose Gel Electrophoresis for the Separation of DNA Fragments Pei Yun Lee, John Costumbrado, Chih-Yuan Hsu, Yong Hoon Kim Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles Video Article Chapters 0:05 Title 1:31 Preparation of the Gel 3:21 Setting up Gel Apparatus and Separating DNA Fragments 4:55 Observing Separated DNA Fragments 5:43 Results: Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of PCR Products 6:23 Conclusion Cite this Article Lee, P. Y., Costumbrado, J., Hsu, C. Y., Kim, Y. H. Agarose Gel Electrophoresis for the Separation of DNA Fragments. J. Vis. Exp. (62), e3923, doi:10.3791/3923 (2012). Abstract Agarose gel electrophoresis is the most effective way of separating DNA fragments of varying sizes ranging from 100 bp to 25 kb1. Agarose is isolated from the seaweed genera Gelidium and Gracilaria, and consists of repeated agarobiose (L- and D-galactose) subunits2. During gelation, agarose polymers associate non-covalently and form a network of bundles whose pore sizes determine a gel's molecular sieving properties. The use of agarose gel electrophoresis revolutionized the separation of DNA. Prior to the adoption of agarose gels, DNA was primarily separated using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, which only provided an approximation of size. To separate DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA is loaded into pre-cast wells in the gel and a current applied. The phosphate backbone of the DNA (and RNA) molecule...
Words: 2118 - Pages: 9
...Introduction The profound importance for microorganisms to operate at a maximum efficiency has lead to adaptations allowing for groups of processes to be functional when resources are available, while on the contrary remaining “dormant” when not in need. This has been accomplished at the molecular level by configuring clusters of genes together on the genome into operons that elicit a processive response in the presence of a specific metabolite. The Lac operon is responsible for the cleaving of the disaccharide lactose into two products. A myriad of components control the expression of the Lac operon when two conditions are met. First, the substrate, lactose, must be present. Second, no better substrate for example, glucose, is present (2). The three structural genes in the Lac operon are lacZ, lacY, and lacA. The gene lacZ encodes the tetramer, ß-galactosidase, which is responsible for hydrolyzing the ß-1,4 glycosidic linkage between galactose and glucose in lactose. The transport of lactose into the cell via the enzyme lactose permease is encoded by the gene lacY. The lacA gene encodes the enzyme, galactoside transacetylase, a trimer that transfers an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to galactosides. Activation of these genes is dependent on the activity of a promoter and three operators based on the nutritional and environmental conditions available to the cell. The lac operon is a negatively controlled inducible operon that utilizes the product of the regulator gene lacI, to...
Words: 10690 - Pages: 43
...Molecular analysis of Jawahar Rice Hybrids for genetic purity and fingerprinting Amrita Ingole, Abstract Varietal identification and genetic purity has attained critical importance worldwide especially in the context of plant variety protection. The estimation of hybrid seed purity is done conventionally by grow out test, which is based on the assessment of morphological and floral traits in plants grown to maturity, which locks up the capital while awaiting the results for GOT. GOT could be replaced with DNA based assays. The present investigation was undertaken with an objective to identify distinguishable microsatellite markers to establish fingerprinting of rice (Oryza sativa L.) hybrids, assessing variation within parental lines and testing the genetic purity of hybrid seed develpod by JNKVV Jabalpur, 4 cms, 4 restores and 5 hybrids were employed in this study. About 52 most informative microsatellite markers were employed for fingerprinting five rice hybrids and their parental lines. A total of 77 alleles were detected, and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 6, with an average of 2.56±1.33 primer pair. Eleven markers amplified specific alleles those separated the male from female lines. 13 markers were found polymorphic for female lines. Marker RM 164 clearly differentiates all the 4 CMS lines under study. 24 markers were found polymorphic among the male parents. No such marker was found that could differentiate all the male lines from each other...
Words: 4253 - Pages: 18
...the text is complete and that all figures, tables and their legends are included. Also check the accuracy of special characters, equations, and additional files if applicable. Substantial changes in content, e.g., new results, corrected values, title and authorship are not allowed without the approval of the responsible editor. In such a case, please contact us for futher advice. · If we do not receive your corrections within 48 hours, we will send you a reminder. · The final versions of your article will be published around one week after receipt of your corrected proofs. Jaworek et al. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases 2012, 7:44 http://www.ojrd.com/content/7/1/44 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 RESEARCH Open Access Molecular genetic studies and delineation of the oculocutaneous albinism phenotype in the Pakistani population Thomas J Jaworek1, Tasleem Kausar2, Shannon M Bell1, Nabeela Tariq2, Muhammad Imran Maqsood2, Asma Sohail2, Muhmmmad Ali2, Furhan Iqbal2, Shafqat Rasool3, Saima Riazuddin1,4,5,6, Rehan S Shaikh2,8* and Zubair M Ahmed1,2,4,5,6,7* 8 Abstract 9 Background: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is caused by a group of genetically heterogeneous inherited defects that result in the loss of pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair. Mutations in the TYR,...
Words: 11647 - Pages: 47
...Report on the connection between the Central dogma of Molecular Biology/ Bioinformatics, Model Organism and Drug Designing. The basis of the central dogma of molecular biology is the expression of the genetic information in any call. It is a universal process that occurs in every cell. The genetic information is stored in the DNA. During gene expression DNA is transcript to RNA and these RNA are transcribed to proteins. Bioinformatics deals with the genetic information which involves collecting, analyzing, manipulating and predicting etc. For the functioning of bioinformatics it is essential to know the genetic information that is stored in DNA. Therefore sequencing of DNA, genes or genomes is the fundamental need in bioinformatics. Organisms that are used in biological experiments in laboratories are called ‘model organisms’, of which most genomes are sequenced at present (rat, yeast, Arabidopsis; plant model organism) These sequenced genomes could be analyzed using bioinformatics tools in order to identify genes of significance as in drought tolerance genes in plants etc. Information revealed from sequencing could be studied using bioinformatics tools to understand its underlying mechanisms and to generate models that could be used in further studies. This information could also be used in evolutionary studies, micro array analysis, identification of genetic disorders (Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy etc.) ...
Words: 414 - Pages: 2
...DNA and the importance of the Hershey-Chase experiment Directions: Read text Ch. 10 pgs. 180-83 and then answer the questions below. Be prepared to discuss this in class. 1. What is molecular biology? What will you explore in this unit? Molecular biology is the study of the molecular basis of genes and gene expression (molecular genetics). We will explore the following: -the structure of DNA -how it replicates -how it controls the cell by directing RNA and protein synthesis -how it can change -viruses that infect bacteria, animals, and plants -bacterial genetics 2. Who are Hershey and Chase? What were they trying to figure out? Why were they trying to figure this out? Alfred Hershey and Martha Chase were American biologists. They are trying...
Words: 425 - Pages: 2
...Bio 405 Genetics Mendelian Inheritance This video is talking about the Mendelian genetics. This videos starts off by telling us the meaning of both genetics and heredity. Genetics can be used in many different subjects such as zoology, molecular biology, microbiology and topics dealing life as examples. It then goes on to discuss the father of genetics which is Gregor Mendel who was and Austrian monk that grew up with a family of religious beliefs. Throughout his life Gregor was interested in botany and mathematics. He is known as one of the first scientist applied mathematics to his science research. There was two viewpoints of heredity which where blending and particulate hypothesis. The blending hypothesis didn’t work when the father of evolution, Charles Darwin did not have enough evidence. The particulate hypothesis was then discovered by Gregor Mendel. This video also breaks down the meaning of genes and traits. You have different characteristics for genes and traits such a height, weight, and appearance. It then goes to tell us about the advantages Mendel had with us pea plants in his study. From the hybridization experiments, he induced two generalizations which later became known as Mendel's Principles of Heredity or Mendelian inheritance. The speaker of this video also proceeds to talk about alleles, which are known as variation of different genes. Most alleles are represented as the dominant trait. Mendel’s Principle of Dominance says that the dominant...
Words: 726 - Pages: 3
...Embryonic stem cells versus pronucleus Name Course Institution affiliation Date Embryonic stem cells versus pronucleus Embryonic stem cell and pronucleus techniques have been utilized widely in human cloning. Just as the name suggests, embryonic stem cells are cells derived from the embryos of human beings. The term cloning is used by scientists to describe the variety of processes used in making duplicates of biological materials. This paper will discuss the embryonic cells and pronucleus taking into accounts their application to human cloning. Caenorhadditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster will also be discussed together with application of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Embryonic stem cell has been applied in human cloning through human cloning for biomedical research whereby cloned cells are produced and used in individual patients suffering from diseases like Parkinson’s disease and type 1 diabetes (Fairbanks, 2004). This discovery has been used to develop embryos thus making important steps for medicine. Cloned embryos have been used widely as sources of stem cells, which have been developed to make new heart muscles, bone, brain tissues and other type of cells in the body. The stem cells have provided a breakthrough in medicine by creating new tissues that might be able to heal the damage caused by heart attack or repair severed spinal cord (Fairbanks, 2004). There are trials of utilizing stem cells from donated embryos to try and restore people’s eye sights. The donated...
Words: 1379 - Pages: 6
...Is There Any Genetic Evidence to Explain Why Musical Prodigies Exist? Kristina Vianca Constantino Tabuena San Diego Miramar College Abstract By definition, one is considered a musical child prodigy if he or she possesses an exceptional ability, at a professional level, for music at a young age. Musical ability is defined as the capacity for music perception and production. This is really interesting because the children looks like they have been hand-picked by nature to have these gifts since they have parents who are just like any of us. This phenomenon has been known for a long time, however, there are only a few researches that have been done about this and that is why we hardly understand why musical geniuses exist and how come it is not common at all. Some theories suggest that prodigies are linked to autism. Some of these children have been treated as subjects for long-term researches to find any genetic factors that will link a trait that characterizes being a musical prodigy. The phenomenon of musical geniuses is a product of both genetic factors, as seen in their family background and link to autism, and environmental factors like family support and their devotion to practice. Methods I chose this topic because I find musical prodigies very interesting. I already started researching about them since I have been watching documentaries and following news about them. I watched a documentary about a polyglot, a master of multiple languages, named Tim Doner and I...
Words: 2698 - Pages: 11
...named Elizabeth Jean Watson, whom he loved very much. Watson grew up on the southside of Chicago and attended the public schools in the area.Watson attended Horace Mann Grammar School for eight years, and South Shore High School for two years. During his childhood, Watson was fascinated with bird watching with his father, pointing out all of the different types of birds and their ways of living. In 1943, he received a scholarship to the University of Chicago, where he enrolled at fifteen years old. Four years later, he graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. He then attended Indiana University to work on his PhD in Zoology. He graduated in 1950 from Indiana and started to transform his childhood love of bird watching into genetics. During his time at Indiana, Watson had begun to work with X-ray imaging. His thesis was a study based on the effect of intense X-rays on bacterial reproduction, which led him to study more in depth with X-ray imaging and observing photographic patterns created by them. In the fall of 1951, Watson met Maurice Wilkins at Cambridge University. He saw for the first time crystalline DNA’s X-ray diffraction...
Words: 822 - Pages: 4
...Biotechnology I find myself continually wondering how far man can go in forcing the world to conform to his needs and wants. Perhaps it’s time for man to do the conforming to nature. The study of Biotechnology has far reaching applications in changing man to better fit the world instead of the other way around. Currently biotechnology touches nearly every facet of man’s world, from genetics and the health industry to the production of chemicals and human cloning. I believe that biotechnology is only just beginning to discover ways to improve man’s relationship with his environment, and with my studies in biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, as a part of my career, I feel that the time is right to make a switch in occupations from dentistry to biotechnology. Since I began my studies, I have always had an interest in trying to find cures for incurable diseases and to find techniques to help those with chronic diseases better cope with the day to day challenges of their disease. I clearly see a path to realizing these dreams armed with a degree in biotechnology. The range of opportunities provided by a degree in biotechnology are mind expanding. Previously, I have not had the opportunity to follow my dreams until now, having moved to the United States from different dental practices in poorer countries. I wasn’t afforded the availability of the newest technological improvements. Our resources were meager, but my passion to help others with my knowledge...
Words: 515 - Pages: 3
...“Ancient viruses regenerated from 700- year- old frozen reindeer poop” Scientists have detected two ancient viruses in an ice patch located in Northern Canada. The specimen that scientists have observed is from reindeer feces, dating back about 700 years ago. This discovery is very important to the field of genetics, because it provides evidence upon how the viruses evolved, and the old compared to new biology. Even with the new techniques in molecular genetics, it was still a challenge trying to recreate the ancient virus from such low concentrations, due to the age of the ancient specimen. The team of scientist used “reverse genetics” and injected it into a plant, which it was then able to reproduce into its offspring. Even with this discovery, it has many scientists wondering if global warming will bring back other infectious viruses once the ice melts. But to put those worries aside, it is highly unlikely that the older viruses will return unless they have more advantages compared to the already evolved viruses that we have today. I think that this discovery is just the beginning of what science is capable of. It not only shows that the growing field of molecular genetics is exponentially growing, but also that their new techniques can generate a scientific break through. This discovery opens up many doors for the scientific field, and helps provide information on the difference between the viruses we have now, compared to viruses from centuries ago. Lastly, it is reassurance...
Words: 271 - Pages: 2
...Introduction: Genomics: The study of genes and their function. Genomics aims to understand the structure of the genome, including the mapping genes and sequencing the DNA. Genomics examines the molecular mechanisms and the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in disease. It is used to determine the entire DNA sequence of an organisms and a fine scale genetic mapping. The field also includes study of intra genomic phenomena such as Hetrosis, Epistasis, Pleiotropy and other interactions between loci and alleles within the genome. 2.History: The term genome was introduced by H. Winkler in 1920 to denote the complete set of chromosomal and extra chromosomal genes present in an organism, including a virus. This term is used in the same sense even today. The term genomics was coined by T.H. Roderick sometime in 1987 mean mapping and sequencing to analyze the structure and organization of genomes. But today genomics includes sequencing of genomes, determination of the complete set of proteins encoded by an organism, and the functioning of genes and metabolic pathways in an organism. Thus genomics not only deals with the determination of the genetic information present in an organism, but also with the understanding the mechanism by which this information is used by the organism. A major branch of genomics is still concerned with sequencing the genomes of various...
Words: 5631 - Pages: 23
...suffer today. Our environment as well as the way we think and feel influence our everyday behaviors. These thoughts and feelings are processed by neurons in the brain and nervous system. Neurotransmitters in our brain and nervous system control all of our functions. When these neurotransmitters don’t function properly, such serotonin which controls sleeping, eating, mood, pain and depression, psychological disorders may arise. Molecular genetics seeks to identify specific genes that are associated with behavior and psychological disorders (Feldman, 2009). Research in molecular genetics has helped to identify genetic markers that are linked to many psychological disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Research into this field may help develop earlier detection and treatment for these disorders and may also lead to effective gene therapy that can be used to potentially treat these same diseases. Aside from psychological disorders that can be genetically identifiable, physical characteristics that result from our biology and genetics can also affect us psychologically. Although environment also plays a role, physical characteristics such as weight, tone of voice, athleticism and intellectual characteristics such as memory and intelligence can also produce disorders such as depression, alcoholism and schizophrenia. It is important for us to find these biological factors that predispose us to physical and intellectual characteristics that can change our psyche. ...
Words: 344 - Pages: 2
...resources available to search among possible combinations in the target population of environments (E). Crop improvement can be viewed as a search strategy on a complex G×M×E adaptation or fitness landscape. Here we consider design of an integrated systems approach to crop improvement that incorporates advanced technologies in molecular markers, statistics, bio-informatics, and crop physiology and modelling. We suggest that such an approach can enhance the efficiency of crop improvement relative to conventional phenotypic selection by changing the focus from the paradigm of identifying superior varieties to a focus on identifying superior combinations of genetic regions and management systems. A comprehensive information system to support decisions on identifying target combinations is the critical core of the approach. We discuss the role of ecophysiology and modelling in this integrated systems approach by reviewing (i) applications in environmental characterization to underpin weighted selection; (ii) complex-trait physiology and genetics to enhance the stability of QTL models by linking the vector of coefficients defining the dynamic model to the genetic regions generating variability; and (iii) phenotypic prediction in the target population of environments to assess the value of putative combinations of traits and management...
Words: 8044 - Pages: 33
