Fall 2010: DNA melting report outline

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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 the known samples you ran.
    2. Single set of axes with plots of ΔdsDNA concentration/Δtemperature for the known samples.
    3. Similar plots showing results for unknown sample, possibly including other samples run for comparison.
    Table of estimated thermodynamic parameters for each sample. Include estimated ΔH, ΔS, and Tm values (by multiple methods)
    Comparative data analysis and plots
    Plots of any data you analyzed that came from other groups
    Data analysis overview
    Bullet point summary of your data analysis methodology.
    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
    Include component values, relevant distances, and possibly a photographs or two. It is not necessary to document construction details.
    Signal to noise results
    Design evolution
    Bullet point summary of changes you made to your instrument design to address problems in the lab.