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Breaking the Bacteriophage

Breaking the Bacteriophage
Event Details

This NISF Schools event will see A-level Biology students get their gloves dirty with DNA in the lab. Students will work with the genome of the bacteria-killing virus, lambda bacteriophage, and break up its DNA using an evolved, virus-killing bacterial enzyme called an endonuclease. Participants will then load their digested DNA on an agarose gel and complete electrophoresis, a common molecular biology technique to see how successfully they’ve ground up their genome. Students will have an opportunity to visualise their results under a UV illuminator to see the individual shreds of the bacteriophage’s DNA.

Theoretical concepts of DNA digests, gel electrophoresis and UV illumination will be discussed throughout the practical session. This is a hands-on workshop where students will be taken through the process of of enzymatically digesting DNA, running a DNA gel, and examining the result. Therefore students will need to be present throughout the event.

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