Students have now completed their first analysis of DNA that was treated with three enzymes that acted as “molecular scissors” and cut the DNA at specific sequences. They are now working on quantifying the individual
DNA fingerprint bands left behind by these “digests” using two different methods. The first involves very sophisticated equipment called a ruler and logarithmic graph paper and the second a very plain software program called Logger Pro (yes, it IS sarcasm).As in a lot of other techniques, it is always best to learn the crude method first in order to better understand the easier “click and you are finished” computerized method. The students always look like they are having a blast (as long as it is not the 8 AM class) and they really seem to grasp the intricate details involved with experimentation in biotechnology which is the whole idea behind this course.
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