The tools we use for this project are many, however they are not always that complicated. Through out this web page there several pictures of the different kinds of equipment we have and use. -

Some pieces are pretty standard to any lab. For example the scale is used for measuring chemicals and balancing tubes for the centrifuge. The Microcentifuge is -just like any other centrifuge, only it 'spins' smaller microtubes (tubes that only hold about 1 mL) The centrifuge spins the tubes at about 10,000 RPM's and separates the cells in the liquid sample. -

The PCR (Polymerace Chain Reaction) machine is for breaking down a piece of sample DNA and amplifying a certain sequence. This is accomplished with the help of particular chemical primers.

When testing a sample for DNA, it is often run through an Electrophoresis Machine because when the DNA is inserted into an agrose gel and an electric current is applied over it, the negatively charged DNA is 'pulled' toward the positively charged electrode in the machine.

When stained and viewed in the transilluminator, DNA bands can be seen. - -