05 - Biotechnology Basics: My First Electrophoresis
Scenario A: Paternity Testing Simulation Using Dye Electrophoresis In this scenario, students will compare a child’s DNA sample with his parents using the DNA fingerprinting technique. Paternity determination based on DNA analysis (genetic DNA fingerprinting) has become an important procedure for matching children with biological fathers and mothers. Examples of recent court cases that have utilized this procedure have included rape, incest, immigration, citizenship of children to the United States and matching of children with parents who were mismatched at birth due to hospital errors. This type of testing is also used during unrest as in nations in civil war where children are often separated from parents and subsequently reunited. An individual’s DNA is identical in each and every somatic (non-reproductive) cell. Sexual reproduction randomly combines the DNA of both parents to- gether to create a unique blend of genetic material in a new cell, thus giving rise to a distinct person. Half of one’s genetic material comes from the biologi- cal mother and the other half comes from the biological father. Paternity DNA fingerprinting compares DNA samples between the child, mother, and potential father(s) and looks for a partial match among the individuals. By comparing the genetic fingerprints between alleged parents and children, we can determine paternity and maternity conclusively using DNA testing technology. DNA test- ing is currently the most advanced and precise technology used to determine parentage. The majority of individuals have a single and distinct set of genes, however there are rare individuals, known as chimeras that have at least two different sets of genes. There have been several cases of DNA profiling that have incorrectly shown that the actual mother was unrelated to her children.
Lane 1 2 3 4 5 6 GEL LOADING For Scenario A - Paternity Testing Tube Sample Tube A Standard Dye Marker Tube B PCR control reaction Tube C PCR reaction from Mother DNA Tube D PCR reaction from Father 1 DNA Tube E PCR reaction from Father 2 DNA Tube F PCR reaction from Child DNA
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