Use It

Read your own DNA
At the BioCurious Lab in California, students sequenced their own DNA. Using the GeneLaser kit and OpenPCR, they swabbed their cheeks for cells, extracted DNA, and then used OpenPCR to copy out a few genes, one of which was for Muscle Performance. Then off to the DNA sequencer they go! You can do this too! All you need is a GeneLaser kit and OpenPCR! Read more about what your DNA says about muscle performance at 23andMe.

DNA Test Your Food!
Have you heard of “genetically modified foods”? Certain vegetables like corn and soybeans have their DNA altered to grow better. And they’re a part of a lot of foods, you know, everything from tomatoes to tortilla chips!

Students at the HPA Energy Lab in Hawaii tested their food for genetic modifications. They used a GMO test kit from Carolina Science, Dremelfuge (an open source hardware centrifuge), and OpenPCR to do it! This is some of their first hands on experience with biology. Read more about their experiment here.

What is PCR?

Interested in knowing what goes on inside a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) machine? The “Virtual PCR Lab” below is terrific way to start. Take 10 minutes to step into the world of biotechnology!

PCR is a relatively simple and inexpensive tool that you can use to focus in on a segment of DNA and copy it billions of times over. So, even with a small DNA sample, such as from spitting in a tube, or tearing off a piece of a leaf of lettuce, PCR allows to you make a bunch of copies of the DNA so you have enough to analyze. PCR is used every day to diagnose diseases, identify bacteria and viruses, match criminals to crime scenes, and in many other ways.

The beautiful virtual PCR lab is thanks to the team at: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/pcr/