DNA sequencing is the crucial and indespensable tool for biologists to study life. However, the DNA must be extracted and isolated before being sequenced. For one family of cactus, Cactaceae, the presence of mucilage compounds and other polysacharides has made isolating DNA extremely difficult. Not only does extracting DNA when these compounds are present require the use of dangerous toxic chemicals and complicated scientific procedures, but it is also dangerous to the cactus because it requires the extraction of pieces of the "epidermis", something like ripping the bark off of trees. When scientists are dealing with species of Cactaceae that are in danger of extinction, it complicates the process even furthur.
However, head researcher Shannon D. Fehlberg and several other scientists at the Research, Conservation, and Collections Desert Botanical Garden have found a simple method to isolate DNA. Fehlberg and her team developed a method that uses DNA from the cactus spines instead of the epidermis. Fehlberg's procedure shortens the necessary time and makes DNA extraction safer.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2013/03/05/spinal_tap_using_cactus_spines_to_isolate_dna.html
NOS Themes:
1. Science is Collaborative: Fehlberg and her team worked together to develop the method.
2. Role of Motivation: Fehlberg and her team worked with these catus every day; they had good reason to try to find a safer and more efficient way to extract DNA.
This is interesting, there are many new ways that allow scientists to learn more about DNA. I found this website you might find interesting about DNA:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0201-baking_out_dna.htm
Sam Pahl
Hour 1
This new method of isolating and extracting DNA is very interesting. It is even more interesting and exciting that this new and improved way of isolating and extracting the DNA could be applied to humans to make things much safer when DNA is being extracted.
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