Gel Electrophoresis Practice

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My inspiration for creating this model for Dr. Johnson was my struggle to fill in the wells of the gel accurately for the first time. Gel electrophoresis is employed to determine the approximate size of DNA's genome. This is achieved by directly pipetting the DNA into a well in a gel, where an electric current runs through it via a device. The solution or DNA moves through the gel as a result. Although having a plastic version of a gel isn't the same effect as a normal see-through gel, I believed it would still benefit students to submerge the plastic in water and load food-colored water into the wells, practicing steady hands and figuring out how to use pipettes efficiently. Even though the material we use isn't ideal for holding liquids, it can still give students a good idea of how it works and help them understand proper techniques.