Scientific Paper on Polymerase Chain Reaction
The Polymerase Chain Reaction and Determination of Alu Population Freqencies
Porshia Gibbs
April 8, 2010
Genetics Laboratory
Abstract
Cheek cells were extrapolated and used in PCR amplification and electrophoresis of the amplified samples to determine the presence or absence of the dimorphic Alu sequence in a class population. A bioinformatic allele server was then employed to calculate genotypic and allelic frequencies of the Alu element in the class population. The Hardy-Weinberg equation was also applied to individual data to produce class data for allelic and genotypic frequencies. Analysis of results and comparison to a larger population showed that those homozygous positive and possessing the sequence are in the smallest genotypic class. In smaller populations, those homozygous negative and not possessing the sequence were the largest genotypic classes, and in larger populations frequencies of heterozygotes and homozygous negative individuals were similar.
Introduction
Prior to 1983, study of the human genome through biotechnology was limited only to the study of proteins and this study required such high expertise that very few scientists could conduct it. As studies continued, geneticists began to study not just the function of the enzymes that helped to make the proteins, but also how these enzymes themselves are made. This lead to a better understanding of the inner workings of organisms and how and why they function in the manner that they do. Today, geneticists study the enzymes, proteins, and nucleic acids to get a complete picture of the biological processes of organisms. In 1983, however, a new technique created by Kary Mullis called the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) changed genetic research for the better for years to come. PCR is most commonly used to amplify a select region or DNA sequence from an entire genome. In PCR, large amounts of DNA are produced in vitro from very small trace amounts. DNA can be obtained from
Porshia Gibbs
April 8, 2010
Genetics Laboratory
Abstract
Cheek cells were extrapolated and used in PCR amplification and electrophoresis of the amplified samples to determine the presence or absence of the dimorphic Alu sequence in a class population. A bioinformatic allele server was then employed to calculate genotypic and allelic frequencies of the Alu element in the class population. The Hardy-Weinberg equation was also applied to individual data to produce class data for allelic and genotypic frequencies. Analysis of results and comparison to a larger population showed that those homozygous positive and possessing the sequence are in the smallest genotypic class. In smaller populations, those homozygous negative and not possessing the sequence were the largest genotypic classes, and in larger populations frequencies of heterozygotes and homozygous negative individuals were similar.
Introduction
Prior to 1983, study of the human genome through biotechnology was limited only to the study of proteins and this study required such high expertise that very few scientists could conduct it. As studies continued, geneticists began to study not just the function of the enzymes that helped to make the proteins, but also how these enzymes themselves are made. This lead to a better understanding of the inner workings of organisms and how and why they function in the manner that they do. Today, geneticists study the enzymes, proteins, and nucleic acids to get a complete picture of the biological processes of organisms. In 1983, however, a new technique created by Kary Mullis called the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) changed genetic research for the better for years to come. PCR is most commonly used to amplify a select region or DNA sequence from an entire genome. In PCR, large amounts of DNA are produced in vitro from very small trace amounts. DNA can be obtained from
Cited: Beck, M. Laboratory Exercises in Genetics. August 2008. pp 69-85. Dolan DNA Learning Center: Allele Server. Erlich, H.A. 1989. Polymerase Chain Reaction. Journal of Clinical Immunology. Volume 9, No. 6: 437. Mullis, K., Ferre, F., &Gibbs, R. 1994. The Polymerase Chain Reaction. Birkhauser Boston, MA, pg 1. Nelson, D.L., Ledbetrert, S.A., Corboi, L., Victoriat, M.F., Ramirez-Solisf, R., Webstert, T.D., Ledbetrert, D.H., & Caskey, C.T. 1989. Alu Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Method for Rapid Isolation of Human-Specific Sequences from Complex DNA Sources. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USAVol. 86: pp. 6686-6690. Schochetman, G., Chin-Yih, O., & Jones, W. 1988. Polymerase Chain Reaction. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Volume 168, No. 6: pg. 1154.