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How to download these files

Illuminating DNA is available as downloadable Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files.

Details of how to obtain a free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader software are given here.

This is a crude but effective method of isolating DNA and RNA from onions, which has become a 'classic' (if smelly) practical in schools world-wide.

First, the tissue is broken up mechanically. Household detergent is used to degrade both the cell membranes and those surrounding the nuclei. Cell fragments are separated by filtration; the nucleic acids and soluble proteins remain. Protease is used to partly degrade soluble proteins, then the nucleic acids are precipitated into ice cold ethanol. The onion DNA can be run on an electrophoresis gel if it is first dried then dissolved in TE buffer.

This section also includes:

• a simple method for extracting DNA from fish sperm;
• information about other resources describing how to extract DNA from plant materials and bacteria.

PLANT DNA
DNA can also be extracted from a variety of plant materials - details can be found at the NCBE's Web site:

Investigating Plant DNA (PDF file)

BACTERIAL DNA
A method of extracting bacterial DNA is provided in EIBE Unit 1, Microbes and molecules (again, a PDF file).

PEA DNA
If you're fed up with smelly onions, the onion DNA method can be adapted to work with frozen peas. Download the instructions from here (PDF file) or read more here.

'CAVIAR' DNA
The on-line journal Bioscience Explained has an article on extracting DNA from fish eggs (PDF file).

Copyright © National Centre for Biotechnology Education, 2006 | www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk