CE 580: Biomolecular Tools for Engineers Lab Manual
Teams have been assigned with an effort to choose partners with complementary skills/background. Each team should choose an engineering relevant sample that they will focus on for the semester. During the course of the semester you will qualitatively and quantitatively describe the bacterial composition of this sample.
Proper attire:
Always wear gloves in the lab! This is both for your protection, and also to protect the samples from contamination from your skin. Remember, DNA is everywhere, you want to make sure you are studying the DNA from your sample, and not random environmental DNA. A lab coat or other lab smock is recommended to protect your cloths from spills. You may keep this in the lab for use during lab classes. Also remember to wear closed-toed shoes and long pants or skirts which protect your legs.
Waste Disposal:
Most waste generated in this lab can be disposed of in the regular waste bin. However, there are some exceptions noted below. These should be disposed of in the appropriate marked container for hazardous waste collection.
Hazardous Chemicals:
Formamide: This is used in small quantities in PCR and also in the making of the DGGE gel in order to lower the melting temperature of DNA. Acrylamide: This is the main ingredient in the DGGE gel, and is a known neurotoxin. We will only use liquid acrylamide, which eliminates hazards associated with inhaling the powder form.
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