The Original Design
This is an image of an Open PCR Machine. This machine regulates the temperature of the DNA smaples both heating and cooling samples to the preset temperature and times set up beforehand using the set up program. This heating and cooling seperates the DNA strands at high heat and then allows it to synthesize at low temperature.
Experimenting With the Connections
When we unplugged part 3, the LCD, from part 6, the Open PCR circuit Board, the LCD on the machine turned off and no information appeared on the LCD screen.
When we unplugged the white wire that connects part 6, the Open PCR circuit Board, to part 2, the heat sink, the machine no longer accurately regulates and controls the temperature and result in malfunction of heating the PCR tubes.
Test Run
On October 25 2012, we conducted our first test on our open PCR machine. We tested the machine to test the operation functionality. The initial test demonstrated the machine heat sink accuratly controlled and displayed the preprogrammed temperaute determined by the software on the computer. The overall successfullness of the machine was good, however it came with one difficulity, fluctuation of time to complete the preporgrammed cycles.
Protocols
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Steps to Run PCR
1.Connect the PCR machine to the computer.
2.Open the 'OpenPCR' program on the computer.
3.Label the tubes. This information should include the patient number (1 or 2) or control (+ or -), as well as the replication number (1, 2, or 3).
4.Prepare the experiment by inserting the reactants into the PCR tubes. These tubes will consist of the patients DNA, along with the other provided mixing components*. After filling each tube, put it into the chamber at the top of the machine.
5.Close and tighten the lid of the chamber.
6.Customize the settings in the 'Thermal Cycler' program to include three stages: Stage 1 - one cycle that will heat the reactants up to 95 degrees Celcius for three minutes, Stage 2 - 35 cycles that will heat the reactancts to 95 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds, 57 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds, and 72 degrees Celsius for 30 seconds.
7.Press start on the prgram to begin running the PCR.
8.Collect and record data at the completion of the trial.
* Provided Mixing Components
a)TaqDNA polymerase (non-recombinant modified form)
b)MgCl2
c)dNTP's
d)reaction buffers (at optimal concentration for DNA template amplification)
The Patient Information Patient Identification Number Gender Age
31542 Male 55
52125 Female 55
Flourimeter Measurements
(Add your work from Week 3, Part 2 here)
Research and Development
Specific Cancer Marker Detection - The Underlying Technology
In Week 3 of our PCR experiment, we studied the cancer marker in the PCR experiment was correlated to the breast and colorectal cancer. Based on conditional probabilities, we found that the frequency of this cancer found in Finland was 7.8%.
BONUS points: Use a program like Powerpoint, Word, Illustrator, Microsoft Paint, etc. to illustrate how primers bind to the cancer DNA template, and how Taq polymerases amplify the DNA. Screen-captures from the OpenPCR tutorial might be useful. Be sure to credit the source if you borrow images.