How to determine gene knock-out from Agarose gel bands - (Apr/27/2015 )

Hi,

I am a new phd student in molecular pharmacology, actually the molecular arena is very new and also interesting to me.

(1) My first challenge was to do a genotyping for my KO mice. After successfully running my first gel, I am now faced with how to

determine whether there was a gene knock out or not. I already know how to calculate the sizes for each band, so how do I

take it up from there. I need help fast before I report to my Professor later today.

(2) I will also appreciate if anyone could kindly point me to useful resources for learning molecular biology for a beginner.

Thanks very much. Anxiously waiting.

There are a number of books that will be useful. The "bible" for mol bio is Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual by Sambrook et al.

KO will be determined by the band size, usually a KO will give a smaller band than wild-type, but you should determine this for yourself. Smaller bands migrate faster on a gel than big bands.