DNA Extraction: PBS' Nova Explains How (VIDEO)

At 40,000 times thinner than a human hair, our DNA isn't usually much to look at. But if you're curious about your genetic material and don't happen to own an electron microscope, a simple experiment can give you a glimpse of life's instruction manual. All you'll need is water, dish soap, food coloring, table salt, rubbing alcohol and your mouth.

The video above, from the PBS science series NOVA, leads you step by step in a do-it-yourself DNA extraction, with scientific asides along the way telling you how, for example, "soap breaks down the cell membranes, releasing the DNA."

When you're done, you'll be left with a stringy, whitish goop—strands of DNA. You won't be able to see individual genes, but even scientists need special tools—more powerful than ordinary microscopes—to see those.

So how does the DNA appear, seemingly out of nowhere? The process is surprisingly simple, and each ingredient adds something in the step-by-step process from ordinary cheek cells to visible genetic material. "DNA normally stays dissolved in water, but when salty DNA comes in contact with alcohol it becomes undissolved," explains the University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center in a similar tutorial. Who knew you could look deep into heart of evolution with nothing more than kitchen supplies and a bit of patience?

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Comments

[Madeleine Watt]

08:36 AM on 04/09/2012

This was fantastic! Wish my science class had been like this! I couldn't get enough

[Dan Danson]

03:08 AM on 03/19/2012

Sweet. Now, how the heck to I analyze it?

[SwiftJonathan]

01:39 AM on 03/22/2012

By taking a university level class on genetics and learning the necessary lab techniques.

[qwert1234]

03:00 PM on 03/15/2012

i. am. going to try this.

[SwiftJonathan]

01:39 AM on 03/22/2012

I already did... it works like a charm.

[nmcurtis007]

05:44 AM on 03/14/2012

This would be an interesting experiment for kids in a science or biology class ... I wonder, however, if this could have an impact on a quicker turnaround time in determining DNA to catch criminals, identify bodies, etc.?

[KellyMBray]

05:47 PM on 03/14/2012

There is a difference between extraction and analysis.

[drbillybob]

04:13 AM on 03/14/2012

Some dude I went to grad school with made a DNA library and using his own 'sample'.

It took him only a few days to 'collect' it ... 100cc total starting 'material'.

-----------------------

I was impressed ....

[ghscrysis]

04:01 AM on 03/14/2012

What good does this do anybody? haha. You'll have some DNA, can be like "Yup, that was in me, now it's out of me."... And then what? You can't exactly look at that with normal household equipment heh. Kind of cool though I suppose.

Oh, and completely offtopic, but the massive amount of completely idiotic creationist comments makes me wonder how they managed to turn on a computer and respond to this if they actually believe the stuff they're typing.

[KellyMBray]

05:49 PM on 03/14/2012

If they were right the laws of physics and chemistry would not allow their computers to work.

[robcabob1]

03:58 AM on 03/14/2012

this is cool, I like it.

[lgtaper]

03:19 AM on 03/14/2012

can i get a job with csi now?

[ddokken69]

03:39 AM on 03/14/2012

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lgtaper]

06:57 PM on 03/14/2012

ROCK ON !!

[bp958]

02:12 AM on 03/14/2012

yea this is pretty cool but pointless. The DNA is still to small to where u can't compare it. I wonder if u could compare it under a student (inexpensive) microscope...

[Dr MedChem]

12:07 AM on 03/18/2012

Compare it with what?

[bp958]

01:13 AM on 03/18/2012

other people's DNA

[SwiftJonathan]

01:43 AM on 03/22/2012

DNA comparisons require molecular methods. You can't see the DNA structure in a light microscope and you can't even analyse DNA with an electron microscope.

You may be able to show that DNA is a chiral molecule by measuring its optical qualities, though.

[bp958]

01:51 AM on 03/22/2012

Okay so I was right. Pulling a strand of DNA out of a cup of soap water isn't anymore interesting than spit from someones mouth as DNA. You cant see it anymore better than spit. Pointless...

[Mark Helfgott]

01:58 AM on 03/14/2012

Okay

[KellyMBray]

01:36 AM on 03/14/2012

The ignorant and unscientific nonsense posted in these replies is truly disheartening. No wonder the rest of the world is passing us by laughing. The creationists will drive us into third world status.

[amawesdude]

01:59 AM on 03/14/2012

You mean the creationist scientists and researchers who throughout the history of science and medicine have saved the world you now live in from some of the worst plagues, and diseases, infections, and medical policies known to mankind? Oh, ok.... Thought so.

If it weren't for a Creationist, doctors would still be washing their hands in a still bowl of water, passing on germs from one patient to the next, killing millions with their hands, unknowingly.

[slypollock]

05:17 AM on 03/14/2012

so creationist invented soap?

[KellyMBray]

12:09 PM on 03/14/2012

In the 1800's, before the science of evolution was fully developed, you could be forgiven for being a creationist. Now there is no excuse. There is no controversy among scientists, evolution is fully acccepted and integrated into all branches of research. To be a creationist now speaks of profound scientific ignorance and illiteracy.

[drbillybob]

05:04 AM on 03/14/2012

I think the teachers unions have far more to do with it ...

[Linda C P-S]

01:24 AM on 03/14/2012

This is cool to know but exactly what would someone do with their DNA? DNA is pretty useless without a well-equiped laboratory!

[KellyMBray]

01:33 AM on 03/14/2012

Do the same thing we did in high school. Throw it at the ceiling and see if it sticks

[smeeg]

11:24 PM on 03/13/2012

science rules!

[bob louis123]

11:06 PM on 03/13/2012

musics killin me.lol

[hccharles3]

10:34 PM on 03/13/2012

DNA Definitive Nonsensical Assignment