How to Extract DNA From a Strawberry

Have you ever wondered what DNA looks like? Although the DNA you'll learn how to extract from this instructable isn't human DNA, it gives a great example of what some DNA may look like. Continue reading to find out how you can extract DNA from a strawberry with materials that you'll have around your house!

Coffee filters

Pipette

Test tube

1 Ziploc bag

5 strawberries

1 tbsp dish soap

1 tsp salt

1/3 cups water

Chilled rubbing alcohol

(Paper towels may be needed)

Chill the rubbing alcohol in a freezer overnight.

Remove the green stems from your strawberries and place the strawberries in your Ziploc bag. (you can use anywhere between 4-6 strawberries)

Crush the strawberries into a pulp

Add the dish soap, salt, and water to the Ziploc bag and seal. Then knead the bag until combined.

Line the test tube with a coffee filter and pour the pulp mixture into the test tube, then remove the coffee filter. (you may need to repeat this step to get enough filtered mixture)

Finally, add the rubbing alcohol to the test tube. Watch the DNA strings rise to the top. You can then use a pipette to remove the DNA from the test tube.