DNA extraction - but please with cream

DNA analysis sounds like a high-security laboratory, with pipettes and safety goggles? Students of bioinformatics and medical informatics at THI have impressively demonstrated that it can also be done with a few strawberries, washing-up liquid, salt, and a good dollop of whipped cream.

Tangible genetics: How strawberries and washing-up liquid became a window into the world of DNA (Photo: THI).

Under the guidance of Professor Ludwig M. Lausser and Professor Kathrin Tissot-Daguette, the participants experimented with everyday materials and biological expertise and unearthed visible strands of DNA. Strawberries, melons, and bananas played the main role this time: they provide a particularly large amount of genetic material and are ideal for demonstration purposes. In combination with washing-up liquid, salt solution, and a little patience, what is normally hidden in every cell became visible.

‘The idea was to make science tangible - in the truest sense of the word,’ explained Professor Lausser. ‘And it turns out that even without a high-tech laboratory, you can visualise fundamental biological processes with simple means.’ It was obvious that the whole thing was fun, not least because of the many aha moments and smiling faces in the room.

For the bioinformatics and medical informatics students at THI, the experiment was not only a practical insight into molecular biology, but also proof of how creative and accessible science can be, with cream, but without the frills. And the grand finale? The leftover strawberries were eaten together, of course.

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