Blog Post Week 11

My previous hypothesis was incorrect. The Freeze and Thaw technique did not produce the best or even the most DNA. In both instances, the Boiling Protocol produce the best quality of bacterial DNA when compare to the other techniques. The TE Boiling, however, produced the bacterial DNA. Even in current times, there are varieties of methods to choose from when it pertains to DNA extractions. Despite DNA extraction playing an important role the studies of microorganisms, there are no established standard for DNA extraction (Psifidi et al., 2015). There are no established reports dictating any methods are more superior to the other methods. Scientist has the options to choose commercial kits to carry out their experiments or to use simpler methods such as heat shock. Long before commercial DNA extracts became available for researchers, heat extractions were the ideal methods use to collect DNA. Heat shock was preferred because it is a milder procedure than electroshock (Li et al., 2007). The problem with electroshock was that it often destroyed the entire cell while breaking down the cell membrane to release DNA. The genetic information cannot withstand the high voltage required to penetrate the cell membrane. Studies conducted by Researchers Jose and Brahmadathan  showed that heating at 94 °C for two minutes was enough to destroy cell walls (Dashti et al., 2009). The same research also showed that low temperature destroys cell walls because the crystallization of the water causes the cytoplasmic structures to break down. Their experiment suggests that the Heat and Thaw should have produced the most DNA. In my experiment, I should have decrease the amount of time I have left my bacteria in boiling water or freezing water. There is a possibility that the repetition of placing the sample in and out two baths destroyed some other genetic materials. This research was essential in the field of microbiology. It confirms that when bacteria come face to face with harsh conditions such as heat, the bacteria will leave behind DNA fragments. In the case of pathology, bactericide can kill off a microbe but if the DNA fragments are left behind then another strain of bacteria can easily incorporate the foreign DNA. This act, called Transformation, is the primary cause of new and more dangerous strains of bacteria. Bacteria must be sterilized to eradicate any chances of this. In the field of genetic engineering, the bacterial DNA remains are quite promising for further research. With a proper technique to isolate DNA fragments, further studies can be made to identify the key proteins involved with enabling a bacteria’s virulence and other traits among the bacteria.