It’s the end of 2021, and our video resources continue to be very popular for our educators, not only for aiding their pre-lab preparation, but also for preparing their students before performing the experiment! So, without further ado, here are are top 5 Edvotek Training Videos for 2021!
- Performing Agarose Gel Electrophoresis – Edvotek Video Tutorial: Electrophoresis is a technique that allows us to separate DNA molecules by size. In this video tutorial, we show you how to perform electrophoresis using brightly colored dyes. The gels are loaded using pipettes, and electrical current is applied. Like DNA, the dyes are negatively charged, so they move through the gel towards the positive electrode.
- Separating Proteins using SDS Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis: SDS Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis is a technique that allows us to separate protein molecules by size. In this video tutorial, we show you how to perform electrophoresis of protein samples. The proteins have been denatured using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate and reducing agents before electrophoresis, which allows us to accurately determine the size of the polypeptide chains.
- Transformation of E. coli with Plasmid DNA – Edvotek Video Tutorial: In the laboratory, scientists can force bacteria like E. coli to acquire exogenous DNA from the surrounding environment through a process called transformation. The newly acquired genetic information is both stable and heritable. In this tutorial, we walk through the steps in our classic Transformation protocol to help ensure success with your experiment.
- Preparing an Agarose Gel For Electrophoresis – Edvotek Video Tutorial: Electrophoresis is a technique that allows us to separate DNA molecules by size. In this video, we show you how to prepare an agarose gel for electrophoresis. This includes diluting the buffer, melting the agarose, preparing the gel casting system, and pouring the gel.
- The Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): The ELISA, or Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay, is an analytical biochemistry technique that uses antibodies to detect the presence of specific biomolecules (i.e. peptides, proteins, antigens and hormones) in a complex sample. These samples can be single proteins or complex mixtures like cellular lysates. In this video, we will show you the basics of how to perform an ELISA in your classroom laboratory.
All five of these videos are our “Classics” that teachers and students have been using for several years! In fact, our top video featuring the ELISA has been on YouTube since 2015! These techniques are used in research labs around the world every day, so we are not surprised that they continue to be popular teaching tools.
Our top NEW video from 2021 is a great one discussing how to use a DNA ladder. When we analyze our electrophoresis results, we find larger molecules at the top of the gel, and smaller molecules at the bottom. But how do we know the size of your DNA fragments after electrophoresis? We use a DNA ladder, a common reagent used in agarose gel electrophoresis. This reagent allows us to determine the size of our experimental DNA fragments after they are separated by electrophoresis. This video perfectly complements our Classic Electrophoresis videos, above.
The Official Blog of Edvotek® 