1st Summary-Genomics: Fish DNA Barcoding & Protein Profiling Workshop & My Life with Worms:

Travelogue of Research with NemerteaJanuary 21-22, 2014 Dr. Pat Phelps & Dr. Jon. Norenburg

DNA barcoding and protein profiling are techniques involving electrophoresis, in which molecules such

as DNA and proteins on top of an electric field migrate down toward the oppositely charged electrode

and separate according to their charge and shape. Electrophoresis reveals the number of proteins found

in each sample as well as, their size and the similarities or differences between them. DNA barcoding is

based on using a DNA strand to facilitate species identification by looking for patterns in sequences

involved in replication of DNA, where DNA is extracted and purified. Then cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene

is amplified by PCR, which results are observed through the agarose gel electrophoresis. In protein

profiling, which identifies proteins and evolutionary relationships among fish, proteins are placed in

microtubes containing a buffer. The samples are flicked, incubated and heated to denature the proteins

before being loaded into the polyacrylamide gel solutions. After these techniques were presented, an

expert in invertebrate studies discussed his research on analyzing the taxonomy and genetic patterns of

Nemerteia to build a phylogenetic tree. Taxonomy, the classification of organisms, is one of the main

goals of barcoding and protein profiling and it identifies the components of biological diversity, which

provides basic knowledge of the principles of biological diversity.