Berthold Public School

During 10th grade biology, we were making DNA fingerprint for Lambda DNA. DNA fingerprint can be used to identify a person just like hand fingerprints, but we can use it for all kinds of organisms. The Biology students had to take vial of Lambda DNA put restriction enzymes in it and see what happens. Lambda has DNA it that if we ere to right it out could fill 10 pgs with information. Restriction enzymes help bacteria fight off Lambda by cutting up the DNA. The Biology students made gel like in the photo above and put the DNA in the little wells. They used a device called an electrophoresis apparatus that uses electricity to separate the DNA. As you can see in the above picture, the DNA is moving through the gell. DNA has a negative charge so it will be attracted to the positive side. This technology is still used today to identify organisms as a new species or to identify a sample.