Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

So basically in my experiment I am trying to find the optimal concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate in a simple DNA collection experiment. I'm using 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5% concentrations, but I don't know what to do for my control. My first thought was so do a 0%, but the experiment wouldn't work without SDS. Should I just use the 0% as my control anyway?

Also, what should I name my project? I thought about using: "DNA Collection Methods," but I'm not testing different methods for DNA collection. Any ideas?

Hello beccan15,
If you are trying to evaluate the effects of increasing concentrations of SDS in a DNA isolation protocol, it makes sense to have a no SDS control. Regarding the name of your project, you may also use the term "DNA isolation" instead of "DNA collection". When thinking of a cool name for your project you may want to think about the fact that SDS is a detergent. You may also think about why the SDS has such a dramatic effect in the results (DNA yield) when using the protocol. What sample are you using as a starting material?
Happy research,
Veronica

Thank you!!

I'll be trying to extract DNA from strawberries, if that's what you're asking. I'm entered in a pretty prestigious science fair, and my teacher advises against using creative catchy names, so I was thinking about using "Strawberry DNA Isolation (or Collection)" What do you think?

Isolation of genomic DNA from Strawberries
Extraction of genomic DNA from Strawberries
I would pick one word (collection/isolation/extraction) and use it on the title (no parenthesis). The reason why I do not favor using the word "collection" is that it does not fully convey the idea that you are actively purifying and extracting this DNA from the strawberries using a biochemical method/process. Either of the words mentioned here work.
Hope your poster presentation goes well!
Veronica

When I put the parenthesis I didn't mean that to be part of the actual title...oops! I had it there to show that I could use either word