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Dna Marker Research Paper

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A DNA marker (size standard or a DNA ladder) is loaded into the first well of the gel. The fragments in the marker are of a known length so it can be used to help approximate the size of the fragments in the samples. The prepared DNA samples are then pipetted into the remaining wells of the gel. When this is done the lid is placed on the electrophoresis tank making sure that the orientation of the gel and positive and negative electrodes is correct. To separate the fragments, the electrical current is then turned on so that the negatively charged DNA moves through the gel towards the positive side of the gel. The distance the DNA has migrated in the gel can be judged visually by monitoring the migration of the loading buffer dye. The electrical current is left on long enough to ensure that the DNA fragments move far enough across the gel to separate them, but not so long that they run off the end of the gel. …show more content…

To visualize the DNA, the gel is stained with a fluorescent dye that binds to the DNA, and is placed on an ultraviolet trans illuminator that will show the stained DNA as bright bands. The dye can also be mixed with the gel before it is poured. If the gel has run correctly the banding pattern of the DNA marker/size standard will be visible. It is then possible to judge the size of the DNA in the sample by imagining a horizontal line running across from the bands of the DNA marker. The size of the DNA can be estimated in the sample by matching them against the closest band in the

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