Make Your Own Mucus and Extracting DNA

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Produced by Nowgen, with support from the Wellcome Trust, these resources illustrate two practical activities. One explains how to make 'artificial mucus' and relates it to the mucus produced in the lungs by individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). The second is an activity sheet with instructions on how to extract DNA from cheek cells and kiwi fruit.

Make your own mucus
In the video clip, Dr Cerri Harrop shows Caitlin, a cystic fibrosis sufferer, how to make artificial mucus. This helps to illustrate the nature of the excessive mucus produced by CF sufferers. They discus the content of the mucus, how mucus in the lungs normally helps to protect from infection and how the thick mucus in CF can have a harmful effect.

There is also an accompanying instruction sheet with the recipe for the mucus.

Extracting DNA
A second activity describes a simple method for extracting DNA from a mouthwash containing cheek cells, or using kiwi fruit as a source of tissue.

URL: http://stem.org.uk/rx7ut

HEALTH and SAFETY
Any use of a resource that includes a practical activity must include a risk assessment. Please note that collections may contain ARCHIVE resources, which were developed at a much earlier date. Since that time there have been significant changes in the rules and guidance affecting laboratory practical work. Further information is provided in our Health and Safety guidance.