MiniOne Systems can be a focal point for teaching STEAM and STEM curriculum through biotechnology. The MiniOne Electrophoresis System is a tool for analyzing DNA, but it’s more than just biology. The mechanics of DNA separation are a physical and chemical process as well. Although conceptually simple, electrophoresis technology draws insights from many fields of science and engineering. While students engage with real-time DNA analysis, educators can use the MiniOne System’s engineering to illustrate crosscutting concepts from physics, chemistry, and math! The MiniOne Electrophoresis System was designed to deliver the complete, hands-on electrophoresis experience within the constraints of the classroom lab, without compromising quality or performance. While using the MiniOne System, students will gain an appreciation for the interdependence of science, technology, and design, and teachers will be able to integrate STEM curriculum into their classrooms.

Biology

Many common techniques in molecular biology produce DNA fragments of a specific size. Restriction enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences revealing the presence of mutations and clues to ancestry. DNA fingerprinting identifies individuals based on the number of repeated inserts at sites in their genome. PCR reactions produce fragments of a specific length that can be used to identify species or verify the presence of a pathogen in a clinical sample. To analyze the results of these experiments, the DNA fragments must be sorted by size. Electrophoresis is a ubiquitous technique for separating molecules, including DNA fragments, based on size, shape, and electrical charge. An electric field is created by applying a voltage between two electrodes. A conductive buffer provides ions that carry electric current between the electrodes. When placed in an electric field, a positively charged molecule will migrate toward the negative electrode and a negatively charged molecule toward the positive electrode. The DNA backbone contains phosphate groups, which gives DNA fragments a net negative charge. Under the electric field DNA molecules are pushed through an agarose gel, which acts like a sieve. Small fragments move quicker through the pores in the gel while larger fragments move slower. Electric field strength, conductivity of the buffer, diameter and placement of the electrodes all affect the speed of DNA movement. By placing the carbon electrodes close to the edge of the gel, the MiniOne™ System has an electric field strength of 8.73V/cm using a 42V power supply, achieving DNA migration rates similar to research equipment but at a safe voltage.

Engineering

Engineering is a story of optimization. Equipment for analyzing DNA must be accurate, reliable, and sensitive. In the classroom it must also be fast, budget-conscious, and meet a very high standard of safety. Reducing the distance between electrodes produces a stronger electric field and faster DNA movement, but get the electrodes too close to the edge of the gel and the gel will melt. The distance between the gel and the electrodes and the size of the buffer reservoir have been optimized to provide fast DNA migration and consistent experimental results. The MiniOne’s conductive carbon electrodes provide a durable, lower cost alternative to the traditional platinum wires, while the magnetic safety interlock, non-hazardous blue LED light, and safe 42V power are designed to eliminate hazards for students. Optimizing the electrophoresis workflow involved innovations to the prep procedure. Valuable teacher prep-time and class time is often taken up by agarose gel casting. MiniOne GreenGel Cups simplify gel casting and reduce the time for melting the agarose. GreenGel Cups come with agarose, buffer, and GelGreen stain pre-measured. We supply the gel chopped up into small cubes, increasing surface area to allow rapid melting- just 20-30 seconds in the microwave and they’re ready to pour. Reduced gel volume, as a result of optimized gel length to achieve the best resolution, means faster solidification in as little as 10 minutes This speed and simplicity means that students get the full experience of making gels themselves.