This morning we spent our time understanding PCR which is a method of copying parts of DNA in large quantities. Prof Rebekka Wachter gave us a introduction to PCR. It is very new technique. In short DNA is heated to break it into single strands(denaturation or melting). Then primers ( short strands of DNA with specific code) latch onto the single DNA strand(annealing). Then a special enzyme, DNApolymerase, which works at high temperature, links onto the DNA/primer complex and starts adding new amino acids. This cycle is repeated many cycles(30) and 2^30 or 10^9 new strands of DNA are created.
Nan, a graduate student, let us start a PCR lab.
Finally, with Petra Fromme, we put small seed crystals into our PS1 dialysis vessels.