Protein gels
Author
Jenny Green- John F. Kennedy High School
Principles
Evolution and proteins specific to species
Genetics and creating cladograms
adaptations
DNA
Objectives:
Students will learn laboratory techniques associated with protein gel electrophoresis.
• Students will learn how proteins can be used to study evolution.
• Students will hypothesize on the relatedness of different fish species by comparing fish protein fingerprints.
• Students will test their hypothesis by comparing their conclusions with those presented in the Evolutionary Tree of Fish provided
Standards
Molecular clock in evolution
adaptations in organisms
Macromolecules and proteins
Comparing genetic similarities
Materials needed
Protein gel container Mini-protean 1D
power pack
comaasie blue
Proteins from fish muscles
micropippeters
buffer
Laemmli sample buffer
microtubes
water bath
protein gels (must buy)
micropipeters
buffer dam
actin and myosin standards
Kaleidoscope
1X Tris-gylcine SDS
Staining trays
Procedure
Explanation
Proteomics is the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions.[1][2] Proteins are vital parts of living organisms, as they are the main components of the physiological metabolic pathways of cells. The term "proteomics" was first coined in 1997[3] to make an analogy with genomics, the study of the genes. The word "proteome" is a blend of "protein" and "genome", and was coined by Marc Wilkins in 1994 while working on the concept as a PhD student.[4][5] The proteome is the entire complement of proteins,[4] including the modifications made to a particular set of proteins, produced by an organism or system. This will vary with time and distinct requirements, or stresses, that a cell or organism undergoes.
Identifying proteins and their parts are important in looking at cell cascade, or looking at the pathways and enzymatic process of proteins. Also, scientists look at proteins such as the immune system proteins to create new products to kill or create vaccinations, as well as studying how complex the immune function of organisms are.
Questions
Besides actin and myosin, how many other proteins make up a functional muscle?
What does each protein do?
How many mRNA's are produced by each gene?
What function, if any do you think introns may serve?
Everyday examples of the principles illustrated
Proteins are used to create vaccines for flu, HPV vaccine are created because of knowlege of proteins as well as how to develop drugs to counteract different bacteria and viruses. Also RNA splicing and used in reproduction and also in cancer studies and cellular reproduction.
Photos
Protein Gel chamber