OUR TEAM
Name: Samuel Butler Role(s) Research and Development
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Name: Kendall Hickie Role(s) Protocol Planning
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Name: Ashley Ivany Role(s) Research and Development
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Name: Connor Mccoy Role(s) OpenPCR- Maching Testing
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Name: Kavin Watson Role(s): OpenPCR- Machine Testing
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LAB 1 WRITE-UP
Initial Machine Testing
The Original Design

Figure 1: The OpenPCR Machine LCD display during DNA denaturing phase. (Image from blog.arduino.cc used under creative commons public license)
Experimenting With the Connections
When part 3 was unplugged (Backlit LCD Display) from part 6 (The "Brain" Board), the machine's LCD display remained backlit, but ceased to display
information of any kind.
When the white wires that connects part 6(The "Brain" Board) to part 2 (The Heat Block) were unplugged, the machine's part 3 (Backlit LCD Display)
displayed a block temperature of -40 degrees C rather than the usual 27 degrees C.
Test Run
The test run of the OpenPCR machine began on the 23rd of October 2013 at 10:06 AM and ended at 11:16 AM with 25 cycles completed. The machine had only 31
minutes left to make a complete run. Our experience with the OpenPCR Machine was quite pleasant because we never ran into any hitches during the test run.
Protocols
Thermal Cycler Program
- The thermal cycler program that will be used is the Open PRC Program.
DNA Sample Set-up
Positive Control: Cancer DNA Template Tube Label: + |
Patient 1 ID: 10072 Replicate 1 Tube Label: 1A |
Patient 1 ID: 10072 Replicate 2 Tube Label: 1B |
Patient 1 ID: 10072 Replicate 3 Tube Label: 1C
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Negative Control: Cancer DNA Template Tube Label: - |
Patient 2 ID: 83576 Replicate 1 Tube Label: 2A |
Patient 2 ID: 83576 Replicate 2 Tube Label: 2B |
Patient 2 ID: 83576 Replicate 3 Tube Label: 2C
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DNA Sample Set-up Procedure
- Each of the test tubes will be labeled with the proper label indicating which patient and which replication will be in which test tube.
- 50μL of PCR reaction will be added to each of the eight test tubes by pipette.
- The pipette tips will be disposed of after adding each sample to eliminate the chance of cross contaminating samples.
- 50μL of DNA primer mix will then be added to each of the 8 test tubes that already contain the reaction mix.
- The pipette tips will be disposed of after adding each sample to eliminate the chance of cross-contaminating samples.
- Each test tube will then be stored properly.
PCR Reaction Mix
- The PCR reaction mix contains Taq DNA polymerase, MgCl2, and dNTP's.
DNA/ primer mix
- The DNA primer mix contains a different template of DNA and have the same forward primer and reverse primer.
Research and Development
PCR - The Underlying Technology
The following represent each function for the componets of a PCR reaction
Template DNA: The template DNA contains the target sequence
Primers: Short pieces of single stranded DNA which are complementary to the DNA. The polymerase then begins synthesizing new DNA from the end of the primer.
Taq Polymerase: A type of enzyme that synthesizes new strands of DNA complementary to the target sequence.
Magnesium Chloride (MgCl2): Acts as a catalyst during the reaction to speed up the heating and cooling process.
Deoxyribonucleotides:Single units of the bases: A, T, C, G. These are building blocks for new DNA strands.
The following happends during each step of thermal cycling
Initial Step: (95 degrees C) for 3 minutes: Reduces non-specific amplification during the inital set up stages of PCR. The DNA sample is then placed and ready for amplification
Denature at 95 degrees C for 30 seconds: The first regular cycling event. This causes DNA meling of the DNA tempalte by disrupting hydrogen bonds between complementary bases. Anneal at 57 degrees C for 30 seconds: Reaction temperature is lowered, allowing the attachment of primers to the DNA strands. Extend at 72 degrees C for 30 seconds: The DNA polymerase now synthesizes new DNA strands complementary to the original DNA strand. Final Step at 72 degrees C for 3 minutes: This ensures the remaining single stranded DNA is fully extended. Final Hold at 4 degrees C: Allows finilization of process, this could be employed for short term storage of the reaction.
Base Pairing: Adenine(A):T Thymine(T):A Cytosine(C):G Guanine(G):C

Figure 2: Illustration of how Polyamerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA amplification works. Image Source: DNA Learning Center Website.
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