How do you know which genes in your DNA are active in your cells? In this simulation, you will learn how to extract messenger RNA molecules, the direct product of your genes.

Extracting mRNA from pigs

You will first retrieve samples of fat tissue from pigs at a farm. Back in the lab, you will then break the cells to extract the total RNA. FInally, you will purify the messenger RNA from the rest of the RNA in your sample.

mRNA extraction and purification

First, the students will learn how to lyse cells, extract RNA using a chloroform solution and purify mRNA with magnetic beads.

Students are immediately provided with qualitative data (spectrophotometer, electrophoresis) to check the quality of their samples.