Plasmid DNA Isolation utilizes centrifugation and a silica membrane column to rapidly purify high quality plasmid DNA from E. coli bacteria. Samples are analyzed via agarose gel electrophoresis or spectrophotometry.
Key Topics:
- Plasmid DNA Isolation from Bacteria
Consider pairing this lab with one of the following:
DNA Extraction from Fruit: Compare DIY DNA isolation with DNA isolation techniques suitable for downstream applications.
DNA Isolation from Corn-Based Food: Compare genomic DNA isolation from food and plasmid DNA isolation from bacteria.
Restriction Enzyme Digest & Gel Electrophoresis of DNA (plasmid): After purifying a plasmid, learn about restriction enzymes and how they can be a powerful tool in genetic engineering.
This field trip is categorized as an Introductory field trip and is geared toward students that are middle school level or above. This Field Trip utilizes a more sophisticated set of molecular concepts and asks students to relate those concepts to the world around them. In order to guarantee that your students benefit, prior experience with the use of P20, P200, and P1000 micropipettes is highly recommended.
Length of Field Trip: 0.5 – 1.5 hour
Cost of Field Trip: $80 for up to 16 students; $5 for every additional student
