The Original Design The Open PCR machine is a device that is used to duplicate DNA strands. The machine uses heating and cooling techniques to separate dual helix strands of DNA and replicate those strands, therefore generating new DNA. Primers, which are custom built, short pieces of DNA are placed inside the machine along with the DNA. These primers act as a landing pad for DNA polymerase, a complex and naturally-occurring protein that copies a cell's DNA then divides the double helix into two separate parts.The PCR machine completes cycles that consist of heating the existing DNA until the two strands separate, cooling the DNA so primers can attach onto the strand, and then heating up the DNA again so that DNA polymerase can copy and duplicate the strands After the PCR completes thirty to forty cycles, billions of new strands of DNA are created. .
Experimenting With the Connections
After unplugging part 3 from part 6 of the PCR machine, the LED screen shut off. Once we reconnected the wire, the light came on again.
When we unplugged the white wire that connects (part 6) to (part 2), the machine ... (did what? fill in your answer)
Test Run
(Write the date you first tested Open PCR and your experience(s) with the machine)
Protocols
Thermal Cycler Program
DNA Sample Set-up
row 1 cell 1
row 1 cell 2
row 1 cell 3
row 1 cell 4
row 2 cell 1
row 2 cell 2
row 2 cell 3
row 2 cell 4
DNA Sample Set-up Procedure
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3...
PCR Reaction Mix
What is in the PCR reaction mix?
DNA/ primer mix
What is in the DNA/ primer mix?
Research and Development
PCR - The Underlying Technology
(Add a write-up, essay-style, organized into paragrpahs with descriptive headers, based on the Q&A's from Section three of your worksheet)
(BONUS points: Use a program like Powerpoint, Word, Illustrator, Microsoft Paint, etc. to illustrate how primers bind to the cancer DNA template, and how Taq polymerases amplify the DNA. Screen-captures from the PCR video/ tutorial might be useful. Be sure to credit the sources if you borrow images.)