Palonek's DNA Blog Authority

How to extract DNA at home.

Edward Palonek’s Easy Guide to Extracting DNA

You can use just about any plants. In this experiment, I will use spinach. For a beginner plant use something simple and easy to obtain. By no means DNA may seem like a complex subject but these experiments require no experience. Steps are easy to follow and please feel free to post your success stories.

Equipment required: Blender

Mix spinach with water and salt in a blender to split spinach cells from each other. You’ll end up with a spinach soup.

½ cup of spinach, about 100ml
1/8 teaspoon table salt, 1ml
1 cup cold water. Please try not too use tap water. (Filtered is the best)

Blend for 20 to 25 seconds.

Then pour our spinach soup into a measuring cup. Add 30ml of liquid detergent, any brand. 30ml is about two tablespoons. Mix them together for about 30 seconds. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.

Pour the mixture into small glass containers. Put in each container about 1/3 of the mixture. Then put a pinch of enzymes to each test tube and stir slowly. If you stir too hard, you’ll break up the DNA. Use meat tenderizer for enzymes. If you can’t find tenderizer, try using pineapple juice or contact lens cleaning solution.

Tilt your test tube and slowly pour rubbing alcohol 75-95% Isopropyl or Ethyl alcohol into the tube down the side. It will form a layer on top of the mixture. Fill the container with equal amount of alcohol vs the mixture. The DNA will form on the alcohol layer from the spinach mixture. Try a wooden stick or other hook to draw the DNA into the alcohol.

DNA is made of a molecule that likes to clump together with other molecules. So you will find it on the top layer with the alcohol. The dirt, protein and other stuff will be on the bottom.

You have now completed the DNA extraction.

Carefully handle the DNA. You can extract DNA from just about any and all plants.

© Copyright 2008 Edward Palonek. Canada. All Rights Reserved.

As put in wikipedia.com “(DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses.”
I would like to simplify this:
Since DNA is the blueprint for life, everything living contains DNA.

I will explore how to extract and manipulate DNA with basic tools found in your house. Contributors who feel they have knowledge to contribute please feel free to contact me.

With this blog I will share my personal insights into the DNA breakthroughs as well as simple DNA techniques you can do at home. Thank you.
Edward Palonek, 2008 Canada