DIY ELECTROPHORESIS (Under $10 a piece!)

Gel electrophoresis, at its most basic components, is a polymer matrix and electricity used to separate molecules by size, shape, and charge. Its a common lab technique and an extremely useful one. For our DIY Electrophoresis system, we used:

5 - 9V batteries ($1 a piece at FamilyTree)
2 - Leads with alligator clips ($7 for 10)
Silver wire or 2 paper clips (took from the office)
Square petri dish or small rectangular container (forever borrowed from kitchen)
<1g - Food-grade agar-agar powder ($7 for much more than you'll need)
Tape (took from office)
2 - Popsicle sticks: thin and "normal" ($4+$7)
Baking soda (<$1 a box!)

Amazingly, it worked like a charm (if the charm was a dependable electrophoresis system)! So, we invited science-lovers from our MeetUp to take part in a workshop where they made their own DIY electrophoresis systems and used it to separate the dyes found on Skittles.

Thanks to everyone that was able to join us!

- Regina