PCR based VNTR Human DNA Typing

Below are the guidelines for writing up the experiment. This will be due when you return from midwinter break, IN CLASS. Late write ups will not be accepted. If you would like to email me a draft to read over the break, please do so no later than 48 hours before the write up is due. These guidelines have also been emailed to you as well.

Lab write up guidelines for VNTR on Human DNA

To help you answer these questions, see the lab guidelines, in a pdf, online at: http://www.edvotek.com/pdf/334.pdf You can also look at the blog for many helpful links in the sidebar on the top right of the page.

Title: should adhere to the guidelines (3 points)

Introduction (15 points total)

Background (12 points)

- What is polymorphic DNA? How is it used for identification purposes?

- What is CODIS? How is it used to solve crimes?

- What is an STR? What is VNTR? Which (STR or VNTR) is predominantly used

in law enforcement? Why?

Hypothesis (3 points)

Methods & Materials: (15 points)

Rather than write this section in the conventional way, answer the following questions in paragraph form that is well written. Do not answer the questions in a numbered format.

- Why is the lysis stage of DNA extraction important?

- What are the consequences if any chelex beads remain when PCR takes place?

- What is the purpose of Proteinase K?

- What is the importance of the changes in temperature in conducting PCR?

- What does it mean to “run to red” in gel electrophoresis. Why is this important?

Results (2 points)

Make a statement that summarizes your results. No table or graph is needed.

Discussion (15 points)

Use this space to talk about sources of error. You should have at least five sources of error AND an explanation for each one.

Conclusion: not needed.

Literature Cited (10 points)

You must cite at least five DISTINCT sources. To help you out, you can start with the three sources below. Please use MLA citations.

http://www.edvotek.com/pdf/334.pdf

http://www.dnalc.org/ddnalc/resources/pcr.html

The Textbook

Remember that when you have a quote, it can not

STAND ALONE .
Yes: The animation available from the Gene Almanac¹ demonstrates the importance of temperatures in PCR, “[t]he temperature is lowered to 50⁰-65⁰C…this allows the primers to anneal.”

No: “The temperature is lowered to 50⁰-65⁰C…this allows the primers to anneal.”¹

2 points will be deducted each time a quote is “standing alone.”