Hi i am new to bio punk in general but i read about and it sounded like a good hobby for someone interested in science. Over the past few days i have been surfing through many shores in the internet but i have not found what i need. A step by step guide of what you do when you try to change a species characteristics or create new cells from DNA, as well as the materials to do so. All i know know is that i need to mix some genes with purifiers and primers then replicate using a PCR. What do i do from there what do i need to buy?
-Thanks

Bump.

I'm new too and want to know how to get started.

Where to get started?

Genetic engineering is not simple, and before you embark on it, you really need to have a clear goal in mind. You have to know what gene(s) you will be working with, what organism, etc. From the very beginning, these things need to be known. Because experimental design is the key to success.

First thing first. Understand the concepts, in depth. Topics you need to study:

PCR
Restriction Enzymes
Plasmid vectors
How to work with E. coli
Basic lab techniques
Molecular Cloning
Ligations
DNA Isolation
Gel Electrophoresis
DNA Dephosphorylation
Anything else related

You want to start with something simple. Oftentimes I see on these boards people wanting to work with plants, fungi, animals. Those organisms are much harder to work with and require numerous intermediate steps. And all these intermediate steps are done in bacteria because bacteria is easy and quick. Yeast is also easy, but bacteria is far easier.

Start with bacteria. Preferably lab strains of E. coli. I have no idea how you can get your hands on it, don't ask me and don't ask me to send you any. That is one liability I don't want to mess with.companies, but typically those companies will only sell to institutions and companies. Cells are sold, as are all the necessary components by biotech companies, however, I am not sure what the laws are regarding the purchase of such items.

"PCR-primer"
http://www.primerdesign.co.uk/Download% ... %20PCR.pdf

introduction to... Well, a lot of things, well written
http://openwetware.org/images/3/3d/SB_Primer_100707.pdf