Week 12-13 | DNA Fingerprinting

Restriction enzymes (endonucleases)

Proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences, producing fragments with known sequences at each end

EcoRI

A restriction enzyme that recognizes the site GAATTC

PstI

A restriction enzyme that recognizes the site CTGCAG

Agarose gel

A polysaccharide derived from seaweed. Can melt and cool to solidify like jello. The gel has a series of gaps (wells) that is filled with DNA. The DNA is impeded by the agarose (like an obstacle course) where smaller fragments can easily navigate through, while larger fragments are left behind, creating a sequence of lines across the gel (tracked by dark blue dye)

TAE buffer

A clear, colorless liquid that is used to separate nucleic acids like DNA and RNA