Level 2 Biology students recently had a go at extracting DNA from kiwifruit.

The process involved pureeing the kiwifruit with water and then filtering the liquid from the kiwifruit pulp. Students then added a detergent solution and cold ethanol to encourage the DNA to migrate out of the filtrate solution and into the ethanol layer. The DNA can be seen as the cloudy bubbly looking layer in the middle of the vials.

Students were able to ‘hook out’ the DNA and it can be seen as the white blob on the bottom of the hook. The experiment is part of the Gene Expression unit students are completing this term. Interesting work!