GEL ELECTROPHORESIS TIMES
DNA
TECHNOLOGY has
the answer for it! It allows us to study the sequence, expression, and function
of a gene. Genomics is a term that is used in DNA technology, which involves
the study of whole sets of genes and their interactions. Meanwhile, GEL
ELECTROPHORESIS is a lab technique that is used to separate primarily DNA
and macromolecules such as proteins, on the basis of their size and charge with
the use of an electric current.
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Figure 1:
Gel electrophoresis diagram
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Gel is used
as a medium for DNA’s movement. The gel allows smaller molecules to move
easily, compared to larger fragments of DNA, thus the fragments are separated
by size. That is why shorter molecules travel faster and thus farther. When the
current is turned off, the DNA molecules are arrayed in “bands” along a “lane”
according to their size.
Okay, now
let’s relate this with the crime scene investigation cases. Imagine
there was a murder case. The victim is found dead inside the house and there
are blood stains on the victim’s clothes and also on the wall. Police have a
list of suspects but they can’t nab the culprit.
The blood stains
will then be sent to the lab for testing. Gel electrophoresis is implemented to
find the culprit. How are the results revealed? The bands of blood stains from
clothes and wall samples will be used as references while the suspect’s blood (DNA)
sample will be compared. The higher similarity between the reference and DNA samples
show who the murderer is. Case solved!
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Figure 2:
Gel electrophoresis bands.
Result
indicate that suspect #2 was probably involved in the crime scene
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So.. we learned all this, and more in class. We had a very able lecturer, Prof Mokhrish from UPM School of Veterinary Sciences, who thought us all we needed to know about this lab technique and much more side knowledge which was a privilege to obtain.
Written by: Siti Kauthar
Edited by: Mel Ann
Edited by: Mel Ann
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