Help with genetic moles calculation - (Sep/08/2014 )

I'm trying to figure out how many chicken genomes I have in 1 ng (I realise that the DNA sample won't segregate into whole complete genomes).

The chicken genome is 3.2 GB.

Thus the molecular weight of the chicken genome is 3.2x10E9 x 2 x 500 g/mol = 3.2x10E12 g/mol

Thus the number of moles in 1 ng is 1x10E-9 g / 3.2E12 g/mol = 3.1x10E-22 mol

Thus the number of genomes in 1 ng is 3.1x10E-22 mol x 6.022 /mol = 188

I don't know where you get the 500 g/mol for the DNA from, usually it is considered to be (on average) 330 g/mol for single stranded DNA or 660 g/mol for dsDNA. However, in general it looks like you have your calculations correct in terms of how you have done them.

Thanks very much, Bob1!