Vol. 07: Home Molecular Genetics
Extract, fingerprint, and replicate your own DNA.
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Sensor Subcircuit Schematic
Thermal Cycler Schematic
Full Materials List
PROJECT 1 MATERIALS:
- A Narrow Transparent container (something test tube like that can hold 10mls, like those medicine feeding syringes you can get for pets or small children)
- Table Salt
- Baking Soda
- Bottled Water
- Paper Cup
- Liquid Soap (preferably non-colored, non scented)
- Rubbing Alcohol (99% variety - Isopropanol, sometimes called 2-propanol)
- Agar agar: This is a common food thickener found in oriental grocery stores. Choose the powdered form that does not contain any additional ingredients (such as glucose).
- Aquarium pH kit
- Wooden Toothpicks
- Lego
- 9V batteries
- Stainless steel screws (5mm)
- Stainless steel wire (20 gauge) or better electrical wiring
- Lego
- Plastic containers
- Glycerine/Glycerol (pharmacy shelves)
- Red Food Coloring (Club House brand works well; some other brands won't)
- Methylene Blue (aquarium antimicrobial)
PROJECT 2 MATERIALS:
- Peltier Device
- Aluminum block
- Heat sink
- Thermal paste
- Nylon screws (prevents heat conduction)
- Power supply
- HandyBoard microcontroller module
- Breadboard
- Small DC fan (MOSFETs can get hot!)
- Wire, solid-core
- Header pins
SCHEMATIC COMPONENTS:
U1 Op-amp chip (OPA 4241PA, Burr-Brown) U1 Op-amp chip (OPA 4241PA, Burr-Brown) R resistor, 10 kohm R2 resistor, 33 kohm POT potentiometer, 10 kohm U2 comparator (LM311, National) 3904, 3906 Bipolar Junction Transistors IRF5305 MOSFET, P-Channel enhancement HUF75321 MOSFET, N-Channel enhancement
Revised Illustration
The batteries shown in the "Gel Box" illustration on page 67 of Volume 07 are shown connected in parallel. The text, however, explains setting the batteries up in series. Setting the batteries up in parallel will push the DNA through more slowly, so we recommend setting them up in series, as stated in the text of the article and shown here:
» MAKE: AMENDS Errata for This Article
Correction for page 69
In the diagram
on p. 69, mineral oil only surrounds the reaction tube; the PCR reaction
mix inside the tube is a water-based solution. See
http://scq.ubc.ca/MAKE for a full discussion of the project.
Correction for page 67
On p. 67, "Prepare the DNA," the amount of running
buffer should read "75 µl (3 droplets)." In "Stain the Gel," the
dilution ratio for 2.3% Methylene Blue should be 115:1.
Correction for page 66
The batteries shown in the "Gel Box" illustration on page 67 of Volume 07 are shown connected in parallel. The text, however, explains setting the batteries up in series. Setting the batteries up in parallel will push the DNA through more slowly, so we recommend setting them up in series, as stated in the text of the article. Here's a revised illustration.
» MAKE: NOISE — Discuss this article
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Showing messages 1 through 3 of 3.
- get free taq polymerase
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Though I personally don't think that this pcr machine is worth building (I'd rather use two pots of hot water with two thermometers and do it manually) if you don't want to pay for the polymerase and need a free dye for the gel, here is an URL where you can get free samples for polymerase + the dye mix, (it's the Gotaq polymerase from Promega) : http://www.promega.com/GoTaqRequest/Request.aspxPosted by maximilianh@gmail.com on February 06, 2007 at 05:18:08 Pacific Time
- PCR thermal cycler
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The MOSFETs specified in the schematic for the thermal cycler are not suitable for 5 volt use. This circuit is a copy of one on the ubc.ca site which was made for 12 volt use, and will work poorly or not at all on 5 volts. For this application I would suggest the MTP50P03HDL (ON Semiconductor, P-channel) and the IRL7833 (IR, N-channel). Both are available from www.digikey.com.Posted by jskeith on November 12, 2006 at 13:34:34 Pacific Time
- Mail Order Source for Hard-to-Find Methylene Blue in Canada
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After discovering that Methylene Blue stopped being distributed by many aquarium supplies distributors in Canada a few years ago, I found a local Canadian mail-order source for Canadians wishing to avoid US shipping and Canadian duties:
http://www.mops.ca
(under Medications-and-Remedies >> Bacterial-and-Fungal-Medications)
(Btw, I'm not in any way affiliated with the company.)Posted by aleslie on September 11, 2006 at 11:43:42 Pacific Time
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Showing messages 1 through 3 of 3. |
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