SYBR Green Dye
SYBR green dye is a nucleic acid stain that turns fluorescent in the presence of double stranded DNA. It is often used to bind with double-stranded DNA molecules. It can also bind with one-stranded DNA molecules as well as RNA molecules, but with less performance.
Single-Drop Fluorimeter
The device has a lowered area where the slide goes, and a blue beam of light is projected across this area. The toggle on the side of the Fluorimeter controls the light. A drop of DNA and SYBR dye is combined and placed upon the slide and the slide is adjusted so that the drop is in the middle of the first two clear dots and the light squarely hits the drop.
How the Fluorescence Technique Works
The DNA and SYBR dye drop is repelled by the superhydrophobic Teflon slide so that it sits on the surface. The beam of blue LED light hits the drop and a green fluorescence is produced due to the SYBR green dye. This fluorescence makes the solution much easier to observe and collect data from. The fluorescence also helps determine the double-stranded DNA molecules that are being bonded as well.
Procedure
Smart Phone Camera Settings
Type of Smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S III
Flash: Off
ISO setting: N/A
White Balance: N/A
Exposure: N/A
Saturation: N/A
Contrast: N/A
Calibration
Place smartphone in cradle so that the lens is set up straight in front of the drop on the slide. Measure the distance between the phone and the drop with a ruler and place the dark box over the system. Phone was placed in level with the height of the drop, in order to get a more clearer picture of the drop and the fluorescence. If needed, place a pencil or small object on the stand without interfering with the phone in order to keep the stand steady and immovable. Set the camera on the phone, and place a timer on the camera for the best results, as this helps eliminate any light that may enter in the box. Close the lid and block out as much light as possible for the best picture. If needed, take multiple pictures until the best one is taken. Record the pictures with proper amount of concentration of SYBR Green Dye.
Distance between the smart phone cradle and drop =
5 cm
Solutions Used for Calibration '
'Placing Samples onto the Fluorimeter
Pumping the 80 microliters of DNA onto the fluorimeter
Add the SYBR Green to the solution of DNA on the fluorimeter
Place the slide with the SYBR Green and DNA solution onto the fluorimeter
Adjust phone with camera on the cradle for optimum photo
Put the shadow box over the fluorimeter and solution then take pictures
Ensure lid was closed and all light possible was blocked out before taking picture
Record picture with name of contraction of SYBR Green Dye (ex: Calibration Drop .5)
Remove the stand, phone, as well as the shadow box from above the flourimeter
Pull out flourimeter and wipe it clean with paper towel so no drop exists
Repeat for all concentrations of SYBR Green Dye until all concentration are complete
Data Analysis
Representative Images of Samples
This is our sample shown on Image J with zero DNA added.
This is our sample shown on Image J with 2.5 micrograms/mL of DNA added.
BME 100 Fall 2013
