Q: What is the best material to extract DNA from?

A: Having tried many, I prefer wheat germ. It is inexpensive, easy to get,

store measure and work with, doesn't smell or gross anyone out or produce

health and safety concerns, and it yields tons of snotty stringy DNA & gunk.

I have a bag that I keep in the freezer. It has lasted three years and

counting. Find a health food store and get the raw kind. I also use cheap

dish detergent (Crystal Octagon) and 90% isopropyl alcohol I get at the

grocery store. Works great every time.

Here's what we do (this is from memory and is "short hand" version):

teaspoon of wheat germ in a test tube (I would have them mass it if getting

ahold of electronic balances wasn't such a problem)

add 10 mL hot water

Add 5 drops of dish soap

Mix and smash with a pointed wooden skewer (the type for kabobs or

yakitori) for 5 minutes

Don't let it get too foamy or bubbly

Pour 7 mL alcohol carefully down the side of the test tube

Pull up and spool the DNA at the water/alcohol interface

I allow about 30 minutes for this to make sure they have plenty of time to

play with the DNA and clean up

Sue Hinojoza

Logan High School

Union City, CA 94587