8 tubes, 50 μL each contains Taq DNA polymerase, MgCl2, and dNTP’s
DNA/ primer mix, 8 tubes, 50 μL each
A strip of empty PCR tubes
Disposable pipette tips
Cup for discarded tips
Micropipettor
OpenPCR machine
PCR Reaction Sample List
Tube Label
PCR Reaction Sample
Patient ID
G7 +
Positive control
none
G7 -
Negative control
none
G7 1-1
Patient 1, replicate 1
71504
G7 1-2
Patient 1, replicate 2
71504
G7 1-3
Patient 1, replicate 3
71504
G7 2-1
Patient 2, replicate 1
96389
G7 2-2
Patient 2, replicate 2
96389
G7 2-3
Patient 2, replicate 3
96389
DNA Sample Set-up Procedure
Check that group has all required materials
Cut strip of empty PCR tubes in half, resulting in two strips of four linked tubes
Label the sides of the empty tube with tube labels, making sure to not mark the lids
Place tubes in rack
Transfer 50 μL of PCR reaction mix into the tube labeled positive control, disposing of the tip into the collection cup afterwards
With a new pipette tip, transfer the positive control DNA/primer mix into the same tube.
Repeat steps 5 and 6 for the negative control, patient 1 replicates 1,2, and 3, and patient 2 replicates 1,2, and 3.
Seal the lids of the PCR reaction tubes tightly.
Take the tubes to the PCR machine, and place them into the heating block.
Return all reusable materials to the appropriate storage places.
Dispose of all biomedical material waste in an orange/ red Biohazard Bag.
OpenPCR program
The thermal cycling program is a program that is used to control the OpenPCR machine. Using a varied set of input data, the program can tell the machine to heat up to a specific temperature, cool down to a specific temperature, and specify the number of times to repeat the cycle.
Research and Development
PCR - The Underlying Technology
The purpose of the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is to replicate a small strand of DNA sample into a batch large enough to measure through technological means. The DNA sample taken from a patient acts as the template for the replication to base from; meaning after the process of the chain reaction, multiple amounts of the patient's DNA is measurable. While primers in the chemical solution acts as the beginning placeholders for Taq polymerase to add complementary nucleic acids (such as Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine) to the DNA template. The deoxyribonucleotides (dNTP's) acts as the building materials in this solution, for the polymerase to attach onto the separated DNA strand. These are the main components for PCR to perform effectively and efficiently.