large view Alex pouring buffer solution into electrophoresis chamber

DNA fingerprinting is considered one of the greatest advancements in forensic science since the discovery of distinct human fingerprints in the 1800's. 

In this lab, students used police lab techniques to learn if evidence collected at a crime scene supports the innocence or guilt of two murder suspects.  The technique uses specific restriction enzymes to cut DNA into fragments of varying lengths.  The cut DNA digests are injected into wells of an agarose gel and run in an electrophoresis chamber.  Since each person's DNA is unique, his or her DNA will leave a fingerprint shown as bands on the gel. 

Upon completion of the laboratory, students will have learned how to correctly use police DNA lab techniques to collect evidence.  They made agarose gels, operated micropipets, loaded and ran DNA samples, and interpreted the DNA profiles.

large view Dominique pouring buffer solution into chamber	large view Stacy using perfect micropipetting techniques!	large view Megan using mad micropipetting skills :)
large view Krysten practicing with the micropipet	large view Angelique demonstrating micropipet use. Excellent!	large view Samantha loading the DNA into the wells of the gel
large view Joe using the pipet to get the proper amount of liquid needed	large view BJ using the micropipet and Bill looking scared	large view Jill smiling because she knows I am taking this picture :)

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