DNA Extraction Kit™: Extract DNA from a strawberry (or your saliva!)

What does DNA actually look like?

DNA is inside nearly every living thing, but it is usually far too small to see. With the DNA Extraction Kit™, you’ll break open cells, extract their DNA, and watch real strands of DNA appear right in front of you — in about 15 minutes!

Choose from three versions of the experiment:

Classic: Extract DNA from a strawberry and see it appear before your eyes.

DNA Snow Globe: Extract DNA from a strawberry and preserve it in a display globe you can keep.

DNA Necklace: Extract your own DNA from saliva or extract the DNA from a fruit and preserve it in a wearable keepsake.

No prior experience or laboratory equipment is required. This beginner-friendly STEM kit is a hands-on introduction to DNA, cells, genetics, and biotechnology, and is compatible with Chapter 1 of the Zero to Genetic Engineering Hero book .

Available as an Individual Kit for 1 student/team or a Group Kit for 8 student teams.

During this one-day DNA science project, you will:

1. Collect cells from a strawberry or, with the Necklace edition, from your own saliva.
2. Break open the cells using a lysis solution.
3. Filter the sample.
4. Add isopropyl alcohol to separate the DNA from the solution.
5. See real DNA molecules become visible!

Along the way, you'll be able to explore what DNA is, where it is found, and how scientists can extract and work with it using our free resources!

Each kit includes the scientific supplies needed to complete the DNA extraction experiment, including lysis solution, sterile water, electrolyte, filter materials, and measuring supplies.

The DNA Necklace edition also includes the necklace and supplies needed to preserve your DNA sample.

The DNA Snow Globe edition also includes the round display bottle and supplies needed to preserve your DNA sample.

• Individual Kits contain enough supplies for 1 student or team to complete the experiment.

• Group Kits contain enough supplies for 8 student teams to complete the experiment.

You will need to provide a few common household or classroom materials listed under What else is needed?

Classic & DNA Snow Globe

You will need:
• a strawberry or similar soft fruit
• approximately 9 mL of isopropyl alcohol
• a cup or glass

DNA Necklace

You will need:
• your saliva
• approximately 2 mL of isopropyl alcohol
• a cup or glass

No laboratory equipment is required.

Cleaning and safety supplies are not included in the kit. Necessary safety and cleaning supplies are latex or nitrile gloves and a chlorinated bleach cleaner or a 10% solution of chlorinated bleach in a spray bottle (you can make this by adding 9 parts water to 1 part bleach in a spray bottle). You can add a Mini Safety Set to your kit, which includes gloves and a reusable plastic apron to protect your clothes.

For more information about safety, setup, and cleanup, you can have a look at the experiment's instruction manual linked in the Resources section below and at the "Practicing safe science" page.

Shipping Times

Experiment kits are shipped 1-10 working days after you place your order. If you require yours for a specific date or event, please contact us before or with your order # so that we can try to make it happen for you! ☺︎ 

Storage

This experiment kit can be stored at room temperature (out of direct sunlight) or in the refrigerator.

For any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us - contact us

Classic
See DNA for the first time! Extract genomic DNA from a strawberry and observe the strands as they collect in the tube.

DNA Necklace
Make the experiment personal. Extract DNA from your own saliva, then preserve your sample inside a necklace you can wear or keep.

DNA Snow Globe
Turn your experiment into a display piece. Extract DNA from a strawberry, then preserve your sample inside a round DNA Snow Globe.