The Gestal Lab
LSU Health Science Center at Shreveport
Science is fun. By Victor GG
Science is curiosity in action.
It’s about wondering, observing, and discovering. But science is also about love. It is the desire to make a difference and help the world around us. In the lab, scientists play with ideas just like kids in a playground, driven by curiosity and joy.
Science should be fun, and I want to share that excitement with you! I’ll be posting simple experiments you can try at home.
My 13 years old son asked me to include this page, and he will be the one posting the experiments.
If you enjoy them and want to explore more, reach out. I’ll make sure to keep the discoveries coming!
If you want more information, please click the image.
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What do we learn:
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The detergent helps break down cell membranes and release DNA from the cells.
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The salt helps the DNA clump together by neutralizing charges.
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The alcohol causes the DNA to become visible because DNA is not soluble in cold alcohol, so it precipitates out.
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When you extract the DNA from a strawberry, you are seeing the actual genetic material that makes up every cell of the plant.
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This simple experiment makes visible one of the fundamental molecules of life—DNA. For K–12 students, it bridges complex biology into a hands-on activity you can see and touch. The innovation lies in using everyday materials to make molecular biology accessible and fun in the classroom. By understanding how DNA can be extracted, students gain insight into genetics, molecular biology, and the tools scientists use to study life.
Hand-Shaking Glitter Experiment
What you need:
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A small amount of glitter
Steps:
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Sprinkle a little glitter on one of your hands.
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Shake your hand gently.
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Now, go to another person and shake their hand.
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Ask that person to shake hands with someone else.
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Keep going until everyone in the classroom has shaken hands.
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At the end, everyone should look at their hands carefully.
What happens:
You’ll notice that almost everyone now has glitter on their hands—even those who didn’t have any at the beginning!
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What do we learn:
-
The detergent helps break down cell membranes and release DNA from the cells.
-
The salt helps the DNA clump together by neutralizing charges.
-
The alcohol causes the DNA to become visible because DNA is not soluble in cold alcohol, so it precipitates out.
-
When you extract the DNA from a strawberry, you are seeing the actual genetic material that makes up every cell of the plant.
​
This simple experiment makes visible one of the fundamental molecules of life—DNA. For K–12 students, it bridges complex biology into a hands-on activity you can see and touch. The innovation lies in using everyday materials to make molecular biology accessible and fun in the classroom. By understanding how DNA can be extracted, students gain insight into genetics, molecular biology, and the tools scientists use to study life.
Strawberry DNA Extraction Experiment
(Designed for K–12 students; easy to follow with teacher supervision)
What you need:
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2 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
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1 re-sealable plastic bag (quart-sized works well)
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2 teaspoons dish detergent
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ cup water
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1 coffee filter
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2 plastic cups
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½ cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, chilled
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1 coffee stirrer or a clean stick
Steps:
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Remove the green leaves from your strawberry.
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Place the strawberries into the plastic bag, seal it, and gently smash the fruit for ~2 minutes. This helps break open the cells and release the DNA.
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In one of the plastic cups, mix together 2 teaspoons of detergent, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ cup of water. This will be your extraction solution.
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Pour the extraction solution into the sealed bag with the smashed strawberries. Seal the bag again and gently smash for another minute. Try to avoid making too many soap bubbles.
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Place a coffee filter inside the second plastic cup. Open the bag and pour the strawberry-detergent mixture into the coffee filter. Twist the filter just above the liquid and gently squeeze any remaining liquid into the cup below.
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Slowly pour an equal amount of chilled rubbing alcohol down the side of the cup so it forms a separate layer on top of the strawberry liquid. Do not stir or mix the two liquids.
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Within a few seconds, you will see a white, cloudy substance forming at the interface between the alcohol and strawberry liquid. This is the strawberry’s DNA! ​