An Introduction to Electrophoresis
Grades 9-12.
Economical two-part exercise provides an introduction to agarose gel electrophoresis and is designed for eight groups of students in two 40-60 minute lab periods. Includes four colorful dye mixtures and DNA. In the first part of the exercise, students identify unknown dye molecules by comparing their electrophoretic migration with the migration of known dyes. In the second part, students identify dye molecules that bind to DNA and determine the mechanism. Includes complete instructions, samples 1-4, DNA, eight transfer pipets (one ml each), agarose (5 grams), and TG buffer (contents makes 3.5 liters of re-usable buffer).