DNA Gel
Electrophoresis
By: Lauren Rogus
Period 5
Gel electrophoresis is a technique that separates pieces of DNA by size
How do DNA Gel Electrophoresis work?
★ they take a hard jello like substance, the gel with agarose in it and
place the DNA sequence on top
★ the smaller molecules migrate through the gel faster and you can see
that when you place the DNA and gel under UV light
★ the molecules look like bands the more migrated bands look smaller
than the slower migrating bands
Why is it important?
What does it allow scientists do or discover?
It is used in many data fields:
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Human DNA-provide evidence in criminal cases, to diagnose genetic diseases,
and to solve paternity cases
Conservation biologists-determine genetic similarity and kinship among
populations or individuals which is particularly important to captive breeding
programs, such as those at zoos
Zoologists use DNA profiling to determine kinship among members of a group
and its effects on relationships
Evolutionary biologists-use DNA profiles to compare the similarities and
differences among species, constructing hypothetical family trees.
How does it impact medicine,
forensics, or agriculture?
★ forensics- by using electrophoresis
scientists can determine DNA
fingerprinting in a forensics lab
What are the potential problems associated with
DNA gel electrophoresis?
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Low intensity of all or some DNA bands
Smeared DNA bands
Atypical banding pattern
Curved DNA bands
DNA remains in the gel well
Incorrect quantification data
What are the ethical considerations
relevant to this technology?
★ it uses forensics science to analyzing DNA
samples gives law enforcement a great
deal of power
Bibliography
★ http://futurescienceleaders.org/researchers2012/2013/03/how-doesgel-electrophoresis-work/
★ http://www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk/laboratory-process-and-testingtechniques/gel-electrophoresis
★ http://www.colorado.edu/outreach/BSI/pdfs/gel_electrophoresis.pdf
★ http://www.biology.arizona.
edu/human_bio/problem_sets/dna_forensics_1/01t.html
★ http://mrc.hmu.edu.iq/Portals/0/Users/Bazhdar/DNA_Troubleshooting.
pdf