Kevin Tang’s DNA Gel Art
<aside> 📄 Quick Guide: Lab Protocol For MIT Students:L Lab will be held in Building 68-079 from 1-4PM Feb 13
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The goal of this 3-hour lab is to immerse you in the practical world of DNA gel electrophoresis and restriction enzyme-based DNA manipulation. You’ll create stunning DNA gel art while mastering essential techniques used in scientific research! Inspired by Paul Vanouse’s Art project and his Latent Figure Protocol, this lab offers a unique opportunity to blend creativity with molecular biology. By visualizing DNA fragments of varying lengths, you’ll gain firsthand experience in a process critical for verifying DNA sequences.
While the outcome of this lab is primarily artistic, gel electrophoresis is a fundamental tool in molecular biology for verifying DNA sequences. It allows you to confirm that the DNA you have obtained—whether purchased, purified, or constructed—matches your expectations. By comparing the lengths of DNA fragments observed on the gel to your predictions, you can assess whether the DNA sequence is correct. Although sequencing provides definitive confirmation, it is significantly more expensive, making gel electrophoresis an essential and cost-effective preliminary step in DNA analysis.
“The America Project”, Paul Vanouse, 2016.
This lab aims to enhance your understanding of core molecular biology concepts, including the mechanism of gel electrophoresis, the function of restriction enzymes, and the interpretation of DNA banding patterns. Through hands-on experience, you will gain skills in: