DNA Processing Project

Project Reflection

In class during this project addressing DNA fingerprinting and the exonerations that have come with the discovery of this process we did labs that were the four steps to DNA processing and experienced all of the aspects of DNA. First in this project we did a lab that addressed the first part of DNA processing, which is isolating DNA, and we accomplished this by swishing Gatorade (a salty solution) and then spitting the substance into a vile to isolate the DNA. After this we explored the amplification of DNA, the second step, and we did this through a web-based “game” that took us through the steps of solving a crime (through forensics). Separating DNA was the third step that we went through and we made little electrophoresis gels that we placed different DNAs in to run through Electrophoresis as you would in a real situation. Finally we analyzed the DNA by looking at the results from the Electrophoresis and viewing the markers to see which DNAs match up as you would in a real situation.

We finally came to creating our actual exhibition piece after researching all of the elements of DNA processing, and we began this process by selecting an exonerated person from “The Innocence Project” to focus our exhibit on. Our exhibit was a jail cell that had our exonerated person, Jeff Deskovic, walk through and out the door. The open door’s bars were DNA double helixes were painted blue, the blue is because when you make electrophoresis gel you dye it blue and we made the bars double helixes to show that DNA set him free. He was lit up with Christmas lights and this was because when you analyze results from electrophoresis you but it on a light board so you can better see the view the DNA markers.

During this DNA unit I learned a lot about DNA and how it works, but also about DNA fingerprinting and how this process has affected the lives of hundreds. The general DNA aspect of this project is what I connected to the most and really enjoyed. I’m the type of person that loves to just have the knowledge of things like DNA and after going through this unit I now have a satisfactory understanding of DNA. Also I’m very interested in entering the medical field and I know that a high school biology run through of DNA isn’t a medical degree, but I like having the general knowledge to build on. Looking back on this project I’m very happy with how my group’s project turned out and the effectiveness our exhibit had with conveying our exonerated individual. The only thing I would’ve done differently with the project is create our double helixes to be a little more durable and also make more of them so they would fill up the door more. However, overall I am very pleased with this whole unit and the amount of knowledge I’m left with.