PCR Workshop (DIY Biohacking)

PCR is a nifty technique for amplifying short pieces of DNA based on some 'templates' called primers. We can use this to check if a specific gene is present\, or to cut out some DNA of interest for later use (such as sequencing). In this workshop\, we'll talk about this technique but also try it out! Johno will have some demos handy\, and participants are also welcome to suggest primer pairs they'd like to try\, and to bring mushroom or moth specimens if you'd like to identify them. Workshop will be free BUT if you'd like to chip in toward primers (~$20/pair) or sequencing (~$20/organism) then that will be appreciated. The process is fairly slow and fiddly\, so in the spirit of a good live cooking show I'll have some "here's one I prepared earleir" handy and we may need to keep back some samples for a second run. Real science\, in other words! I look forward to seeing you there.

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Please order primers using this form

Event page: https://events.pdxhackerspace.org/occurrences/pcr-workshop-diy-biohacking-2026-11-14