Science Makers: DIY DNA Part 1

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The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an essential technique in molecular biology.

During this Science Makers, we'll learn about PCR, extract DNA from your choice of plant and assess relatedness to other plants. We'll of course be building or testing DIY kit all the way through - from 3D printed pipettes (https://github.com/Biological-Microsystems-Laboratory/micropipette)to laser cut gel electrophoresis tanks and open source PCR machines.

Join us in Makespace with your plant of choice! Please note: this session is expected to take the full five hours 12 noon - 5pm. We will email results to those who can't hang around.

The session is based on the NCBE/SAPS Plant Evolution Practical. (http://www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk/MATERIALS/Electrophoresis%20and%20DNA/plantpcr.html)

Science Makers is a monthly event to discuss and build low-cost, DIY and open hardware for science and education. All are welcome for the talks, making or both! It is primarily designed for adults, accompanied children are allowed to attend but please alert the organisers on synbio@hermes.cam.ac.uk.

Image credit: School of Natural Resources, Ann Arbor (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Agarose_gel_with_UV_illumination_-Ethidium_bromide_stained_DNA_glows_orange(close-up).jpg). Licensed under CC-BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en)on Wikimedia Commons

Notes on plants from practical guide:

We have tested and obtained good results with:

Nasturtium, Chive, Spinach, Tatsoi, Rocket, Corriander, Spring onion, Mange tout, Watercress*, Parsley, Scenedesmus quadricauda,Brussels sprout, Chlorella vulgaris, Selenastrum gracile, Red chard, Mizuna, Sweet and chilli peppers (skin of green varieties)

• Watercress consistently gives a larger PCR product.

Species with tough or fibrous leaves do not work well with this extraction method. In our (limited) tests, none of the following plants gave reliable amplification: ‘Cress’ (Brassica napus or Lepidium sativum seedlings); Cabbage and broccoli (both plants are the same species, Brassica oleracea); Thyme, basil or mint; Cucumber or courgette skin; Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina).