Beginner help

[Joe Wall]

Hello,

I've been interested in biology and genetics for about a year now and have just stumbled upon DIYbio. I've been reading about the various aspects of DIYbio and decided I want to start experimenting. However I'm not sure what to do. I'm particularly interested in giving/altering a lifeforms functions, such as the recent glow in the dark plant project. So i guess what I'm really asking is where are the best places to learn about the practical side of DIYbio and what equipment I would need or not need (e.g Electrophoresis unit, thermocycler & so on). 

Thanks, Joe

p.s could any equipment suggested please be as cheap as possible due to being 14 years young and having the dismal income of a paper round :)

[Avery louie]

Where are you located?  If you are somewhere near an open lab, you can skip buying equipment and get hands on there.

If you want to work with bacteria, everything becomes a lot easier.  To make glowing bacteria, all you need is a small, commonly avalible piece of dna, some bacteria, an ice bath, a cup of warm water, and a salt solution.

After that you will probably want to do more things.  You seem like the young and ambitious type, with more time than money.  Check out iorodeo and genefoo for cheap, new equipment.  Ebay is also good, but it is less reliable in delivering working goods.

Best luck,

--A

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[Koeng]

I'd recommend starting with the Carolina glowing bacteria kit, I was about your age when I did that for the first time and that rocketed me off into DIYbio

[R Annie O'NieL]

The most basic lab equipment  you require depends on the level and type of practical work you want to pursue. In general for most genetic experiments you would need a gel electrophoresis unit, centrifuge (or a tweaked up blender would do the trick), and thermocycler. For microbiology aspects you would need an incubator and a small fermentor, A spectrophotometer would also come in handy for biochemistry and microbiology like  identifying colony density, enzyme activity, etc. For sterilization of media and plates and autoclavable materials you could just use a pressure cooker. It all depends on the level you want to pursue sky is the limit. The best thing to do is check your area for an open lab as Avery suggested or if i were you i would start of with basic microbiology experiments like culturing and isolating out various fungal and bacterial strains.