Extracting and Purifying Genomic Dna from a Mouse Liver for Electrophoresis
EXTRACTING AND PURIFYING GENOMIC DNA FROM A RAT LIVER FOR ELECTROPHORESIS
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses. Along with RNA and proteins, DNA is one of the three major macromolecules essential for all known forms of life. Genomic DNA is the DNA that holds the complete set of genetic data for an organism. In humans, the genomic DNA spans 46 chromosomes, providing a complete set of genetic information, including coding DNA that leads to the expression of genetic traits, and non-coding DNA which does not have this function(Otto & Towle, 1969). Many organisms have a complete set of this DNA in almost every cell. A routine procedure to collect genomic DNA for subsequent molecular or forensic analysis is often carried out by molecular biologists. This procedure is known as DNA extraction/isolation. DNA extraction is of outmost importance in the scientific world as it allows scientists to observe, manipulate and classify the DNA. From studying extracted DNA genetic disorders or diseases can be identified and possibly cures be found for the disorders through experimentation and manipulation of the extracted DNA. Organisms are accurately classified into classes based on their DNA differences and similarities, something which relies heavily on the extraction of DNA (Kornberg, 1918). Extracted DNA is purified and goes through a process known as electrophoresis. Electrophoresis is the process of separating DNA fragments using an electric field and gel matrix. As DNA has an overall negative charge the DNA fragments move to the positive end and the gel matrix is used as a medium for migration. Because of the gel’s pores, the shortest DNA fragment moves faster than the longest DNA fragment, separating the fragments according to their sizes. Agarose is commonly used, because it is extremely refined, containing minimum amounts of ions and
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses. Along with RNA and proteins, DNA is one of the three major macromolecules essential for all known forms of life. Genomic DNA is the DNA that holds the complete set of genetic data for an organism. In humans, the genomic DNA spans 46 chromosomes, providing a complete set of genetic information, including coding DNA that leads to the expression of genetic traits, and non-coding DNA which does not have this function(Otto & Towle, 1969). Many organisms have a complete set of this DNA in almost every cell. A routine procedure to collect genomic DNA for subsequent molecular or forensic analysis is often carried out by molecular biologists. This procedure is known as DNA extraction/isolation. DNA extraction is of outmost importance in the scientific world as it allows scientists to observe, manipulate and classify the DNA. From studying extracted DNA genetic disorders or diseases can be identified and possibly cures be found for the disorders through experimentation and manipulation of the extracted DNA. Organisms are accurately classified into classes based on their DNA differences and similarities, something which relies heavily on the extraction of DNA (Kornberg, 1918). Extracted DNA is purified and goes through a process known as electrophoresis. Electrophoresis is the process of separating DNA fragments using an electric field and gel matrix. As DNA has an overall negative charge the DNA fragments move to the positive end and the gel matrix is used as a medium for migration. Because of the gel’s pores, the shortest DNA fragment moves faster than the longest DNA fragment, separating the fragments according to their sizes. Agarose is commonly used, because it is extremely refined, containing minimum amounts of ions and
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