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Inside The Field Museum’s Pritzker Laboratory for Molecular Systematics and Evolution, dozens of scientists are currently analyzing the DNA of thousands of different species—from the fungi of Antarctica to birds of the Amazon. Take a look at how they do it, step-by-step.
Step 1: Collect
DNA analysis begins with the organism—whether animal, plant, fungus, or bacterium. Since the cells that make up an organism’s body contain DNA, a sample from many parts of the organism will do: a fragment of a leaf, hair follicle, piece of muscle or skin, or mushroom stalk.
The DNA analyzed in the Pritzker Lab comes from samples collected in natural habitats or from specimens in the Museum’s collections.
Step 2: Extract
DNA is one of many substances in a cell. There are also proteins, cytoplasm, organelles, and membranes, for example. In order to analyze DNA, scientists have to separate, or extract, it from the rest of the cellular contents.
Chopping or grinding the sample paves the way for heat and chemicals to finish breaking apart cell walls and membranes. Spinning this slurry separates cellular debris and proteins. The liquid, which still contains the DNA, is transferred to a new tube. Adding alcohol to this tube causes the DNA to come out of solution.
Continue to Steps 3 & 4. >>
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