Difference between revisions of "DNA Melting Report Requirements"

Report outline

Use the following format for your report:

1. Results

   Samples run

   List all of the samples you characterized (length/match/ionic strength)

   Data plots

   All plots should be complete with title, axis labels, and legend. Plot both your experimental data and the best fit curves from the DNA melting mode. Plots in this section should include only data that was created by your group's own hands in the lab. Analysis of other people's datasets belongs in a different section (see below).

   1. Single set of axes with plots of dsDNA concentration versus temperature for ALL raw data from all "known" samples that you ran.
   2. Single set of axes with plots of ΔdsDNA concentration/Δtemperature for same.
   3. Similar figure, single axes, showing results for unknown sample, possibly including other samples run for comparison.
   4. Model fit: Repeat the form of the first two plots to show comparisons of your thermodynamic models fitted to each average of your three experimental runs. Show this for each sample type. Also include the "expected" results that you simulated using DINAmelt for each sample type. These plots should be in the "ideal" format, that is, apply corrections to your data, average the three runs for each sample type, and compare each of those averaged, corrected responses to the ideal response obtained using your fitted deltaS and deltaH in the thermodynamic model. You may also include an example or two of plots in the "as-observed" format showing *corrected model* responses compared to *as-observed* experimental responses.
   5. Unknown determination: Finally, include averaged, corrected data and a modeled response for your unknown sample either on the above dsDNA and ΔdsDNA plots, or in separate plots.

   Table of estimated thermodynamic parameters for each sample. Include estimated ΔH, ΔS, and T_m values (by multiple methods)

   Comparative data analysis and plots

   Plots of any data you analyzed that came from other groups

   Data analysis overview

   Informative Bullet point summary of your data analysis methodology. Teach us what you did.

   Discussion of results

   Bullet point discussion of results. Compare your results to theoretical models and/or other group's datasets. Be concise, but express yourself clearly.

   Sources of error

   Detailed discussion of error sources. Indicate whether each source causes a systematic or random distortion in the data. (The uncertainty from a random error decreases with additional experimental runs; systematic error does not.)

2. Instrument documentation

   Block diagram and schematics

   Include component values, relevant distances, and possibly a photograph or two. It is not necessary to document construction details, but do show your work in determining your component values, distances, etc.

   Signal to noise results

   Design evolution

   Bullet point summary of changes you made to your instrument design to address problems in the lab.

3. Report submittal format

   Size of your lab manual file submitted MUST be less than 20 MB

   Post only pdf, with code included in the pdf at the end, not separately

   Include last name of each group member in the filename of the pdf you post, otherwise we get 15 reports with the same title and errors may ensue.

Lab manual sections

• DNA Melting: Simulating DNA Melting - Basics
• DNA Melting Part 1: Measuring Temperature and Fluorescence
• DNA Melting Report Requirements for Part 1
• DNA Melting: Simulating DNA Melting - Intermediate Topics
• DNA Melting Part 2: Lock-in Amplifier and Temperature Control
• DNA Melting Report Requirements for Part 2