DNA sequencing

Kuchta’s lab at CU Boulder, I had the opportunity to work on two wholly different projects. The Kuchta Lab is broadly interested in the mechanisms of DNA replication as well as unnatural building blocks of DNA, such as nucleotide analogues. Under Dr. Kuchta’s guidance, I investigated the incorporation of novel fluorescent nucleotide analogues by DNA polymerases. Previous work in the Kuchta Lab identified several cytosine-derived analogues with a tricyclic framework that were inserted more…

with Michael smith, for his contribution in site-mutagenesis. Kary was working as a chemist at the Cetus Corporation, a biotechnology firm in Emeryville, California, where he came across an idea to amplify a desired DNA strand generating thousands to millions of copies of an interested DNA sequence (Mullis, 1998). The enhancement made by Kary Mullis enable PCR to become a principal technique in biochemistry and molecular biology (Rabinow et al, 1996). The technique comprises…

In the movie Spiderman, the protagonist Peter Parker is a geeky, introverted, intelligent high school boy who gets bit by an engineered spider during a field trip to a lab. After the biting of the spider, Parker turns into a stronger and confident person who possesses spider-like qualities. Throughout the movie it is clear Spiderman’s legacy is that he wishes to protect civilians, he can be considered as a superhero vigilante or be considered as a criminal. Parker develops super speed, strength,…

University, it is shown that 80% of people want manufacturers to label all food products containing deoxyribonucleic acid in their food, like how more than 90% of people want GM food labeled. However, deoxyribonucleic acid is more commonly known as DNA, which is found in every food that we eat. This shows how people blindly form opinions based on little or no evidence. This is becoming a real issue in America. Not only does this effect research on GM food, but it hurts all scientific disciplines…

Biochemistry is the “structure and function” within living organisms through chemical processes (Revier). Being able to master the subject is a driven force that grasped my attention to continue pursuing my academics through this major. My interest for the subject grew as I conducted further research to determine the benefits of having a degree in biochemistry and how it would aid me in the long runs by having a successful future. Simultaneously, I enrolled in an Introduction to Biochemistry…

The film Gattaca created by Columbia Pictures is a movie featuring DNA manipulation. Gattaca begins with a young boy, who is seen as an invalid because he was not born using DNA manipulation to eliminate any genetic abnormalities. As he grows older he begins to dream of becoming an astronaut, so he can experience the freedom of space. However because of his classification as an invalid, he would never be accepted to such a program. Through the help of a third party individual Vincent, the…

DNA purification: To get pure DNA to use, a silica membrane was used to collect the long DNA strands. We started by adding 5 volumes of PB buffer to 1 volume of each PCR reaction. We put column and the silica wafers into tubs and pipetted the DNA samples onto the wafers. We centrifuged the tubes for a minute and disposed of the waste. After that we pipetted 0.75 ml of buffer PE to the samples and spun it for another minute then disposed of the waste. The columns were added to the tubes and spun…

Toulmin Method Analysis “Genetic modification of food would have serious and negative implications for the environment, the economy, and human health” is what I believe the author was trying to persuade when writing this essay. He/ she seemed to follow the Toulmin method effectively by providing Grounds,Warrant and Backing to their Claim. At the same time stating what the opposition to their claim was. I found the essay to be structured well for I followed the information easily. I liked the…

Writing Assignment #1 Lasiognathus dinema There are a couple misconceptions you might have about evolution and natural selection. The strongest and most important organisms do not survive over the generations. Although evolution occurs due to fitness in an individual or individuals of a species, an organism cannot survive over generations. Fitness is achieved through variations in populations of species through genetic differentiation (Scottville “n.d.”). Since the life cycle of all living…

In an aqueous environment for living organisms, water is used in different ways such as solvents, temperature buffers, metabolite and the living environment. In the solvents, the oxygen atoms of water molecules attracts the cations and by extension the water molecules around it. The more water molecules being attracted the more Hydrogen ions are being formed between them. As a result of this, there is a cluster of water molecules around the ions, therefore the ions are hydrated. Anions also…