As a preliminary to DNA fingerprinting in phase four,
DNA was extracted from Isatis tinctoria
- The leaves used were young about four inches long. To disrupt the cells and remove the membrane lipids in the leaves of woad, a stick blender was used to blend the leaves and the extraction buffer together. The extraction buffer was made from distilled water and dish detergent in a 9 to 1 ratio.
- The mixture was strained into a test tube till it was 1/3rd full of the cell juice.
- 10 ml of cold 99% isopropyl alcohol was poured over top of the cell juice.
- The DNA precipitated out in the cold alcohol. Normally DNA is white or clear however woad DNA is blue and easy to see.
- The DNA was stained with DNA stain to add definition. In viewing DNA under a compound microscope at 400 x, some chromosome spirals were evident.
