DNA Extraction inspired by Jennifer Doudna
This is one in a series of posts honoring Women’s History Month. Each post celebrates a woman of note & encourages readers to explore their own creativity…
Inspiration
Jennifer Doudna is an American biochemist & the co-recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. She won the award for her pioneering use of CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors to edit DNA
Materials
1/2 cup split peas
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup cold distilled water
Blender
Mesh strainer with very tiny holes
Bowl or cup
2 tbsp liquid detergent
3-4 test tubes
Contact lens solution
Rubbing alcohol
Wooden skewers
Directions
Combine the peas, salt and cold distilled water in your blender. Blend on high for at least 15 seconds but no longer than 25-30.
Assemble your strainer above a bowl or cup and pour the liquid remnants of the peas from the blender through the strainer and into the cup.
Stir in the liquid detergent, being careful not to over mix. Let stand for ten minutes.
Fill your test tubes or thin vases about 1/3 of the way full with the pea mixture.
Sprinkle just a pinch of the meat tenderizer (or just a drop or two of contact lens solution) into each test tube or vase. Stir very gently with a BBQ skewer, being careful not to over stir.
Gently pour the rubbing alcohol into each test tube or vase, making sure you have about the same amount of alcohol as you do pea mixture.
adapted from Science Fair Adventure