What does DNA taste like?

[Internetmeme]

I plan on extracting DNA from a strawberry and eating it. It is apparently safe to eat.
Previous thread in the science forum:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=33706&p=1346167#p1346167

Anyone else done this? Comments? Concerns? Questions?

[MarshyMarsh]

I don't think you can isolate DNA unless you saturate it in some form of substance. Then it would taste of the substance.

[semicharmed]

I'm with MarshyMarsh, on that for the final centrifuging, you'll need to have some kind of liquid in the tube. And the DNA would probably taste reminiscent of whatever fluid that was (most likely PBS or straight saline). And if you were to pour off the supernatant, then you'd most likely end up with this little, tiny, tiny pellet, which would probably be too small of an amount to register on your tastebuds.

[molbio5]

she could multiply that DNA using PCR, and then she might be able to taste it

[semicharmed]

she could multiply that DNA using PCR, and then she might be able to taste it

I still don't think you'd get that much, if I'm remembering molecular lab correctly, a teeny, tiny pellet was all that we got even after PCR. And in terms of lab time and primers for the PCR, you're potentially getting really expensive for a payoff you (probably) won't be able to taste.

[Axman]

If you end up with enough, you'd better flavor trip it.

[Internetmeme]

he could multiply that DNA using PCR, and then he might be able to taste it

Corrected.


And yes, a set of PCR could probably do this, presuming I have enough amino acids and Polymerase to do this, and Helicase would be good too so I could halve each string... Anyone know where I can buy pure amino acids, DNA Polymerase (not RNA, I don't know if Uracil is safe to eat...), and some Helicase?

[justaman]

And yes, a set of PCR could probably do this, presuming I have enough amino acids and Polymerase to do this, and Helicase would be good too so I could halve each string... Anyone know where I can buy pure amino acids, DNA Polymerase (not RNA, I don't know if Uracil is safe to eat...), and some Helicase?

What do you need amino acids for? I think you mean nucleic acids - in which case try Invitrogen, Sigma-Aldrich, Roche, or any of the big pharmaceutical companies. DNA polymerases can be brought from the three mentioned above also. You don't need a helicase, you just need an ordinary restriction enzyme.

Anyway, that is all beside the point, you will get much, much more DNA out of a single strawberry than you will trying to PCR parts of the DNA -PCR only amplifies up to about 3000 bases easily. You are best off getting a rich source of DNA such as a strawberry. Puree it and add some buffer (1.5g table salt and 5 g baking soda in 120 ml water will do) to make a thick suspension. Add a little detergent to solubilise the fat. Filter out the chunks and then overlay pure or close to pure ethanol so that there is an interface between the solution and the ethanol. The DNA should precipitate at the interface and be able to be drawn out with a popsicle stick or something similar. Take the DNA and wash it a few times in 70% ethanol and allow to dry... voila, close ehough to pure DNA.

[molbio5]

he could multiply that DNA using PCR, and then he might be able to taste it

Corrected.


And yes, a set of PCR could probably do this, presuming I have enough amino acids and Polymerase to do this, and Helicase would be good too so I could halve each string... Anyone know where I can buy pure amino acids, DNA Polymerase (not RNA, I don't know if Uracil is safe to eat...), and some Helicase?

idk why uracil WOULDN'T be safe to eat...

and sorry about the incorrect pronoun