Project:

The Effect of DNA Percentage on the Frequency that it is Amplified by the Thermal Cycler

Students:

Eirene Fithian, Ryan Pyatetsky, Hayley Fier, Annie Rozenblyum

School:

Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences, Brooklyn

Mentors:

Shubha Sarode

Abstract:

Contamination is a common issue that researchers face when using PCR equipment, and we did encounter this in our DNA barcoding experiment last year. The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that the “sensitivity” of the PCR “also leaves this popular technique open to potential contamination.” This project aims to address the issue of contamination, asking the question of how much DNA does it really take for the sample to be sequenced with contaminated results. A dilution series is used to create different ratios of parsley and banana DNA in a mixture which is amplified in the PCR. The effect of the ratio of DNA on the frequency that the type of DNA is sequenced will reveal further information regarding the extent of contamination of samples.

Poster:

Team samples: