Gene Gun Projects

[JuneTorrent]

The other day I bought an airsoft pistol and modified it into a gene gun. The problem is - I have no idea what to do for a project now. I don't want to coat a BB with a complete set of DNA, and I can't isolate individual genes, so I'm stumped. Any ideas for projects would be welcome.

[Rom]

Sorry, how did you modify it into a gene gun?

[JuneTorrent]

A gene gun is a tool you can use to transfer genes from one organism to another. You can use it for gene splicing. The origional ones were made from airsoft pistols modified with a cap over the end of the barrel, and a small hole drilled into the cap. The plastic pellets were coated with genetic material and tungsten, and when the pistol fired the pellet stayed in the barrel, but all the genetic material and tungsten flew through the small hole in the cap. The tungsten and DNA would hopefully penetrate the nucleus of cells in the organism that was shot, and if lucky, express themselves.

 

Todays gene guns are much fancier. If you want check out wikipedia here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_gun

[Phi for All]

Where did you find heavy metal BBs? Don't you need them to be made of something like tungsten?

 

Edit: Sorry, cross-posted.

[Rom]

You do get metal BBs, whether they are heavy enough is another question.

Whats the project for?

[JuneTorrent]

I just want to get some hands on work with genetics. I don't have access to a lab or anything, but I want to work with gene expression. However any ideas for homebrew genetics projects would be appreciated.