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Ateneo Science Educators and Researchers in Virtual
Engagement (SERVE) 2020 Ateneo de Manila University
School of Science and Engineering
MS Science Education Program of Biology Department

Design and Fabrication of Agarose Gel Electrophoresis (AGE) Apparatus for
Teaching Molecular Biology

c
a*
b
Zaldy D. Alima , Dr. rer nat. Crisanto M. Lopez , Maria Katrina C. Constantino , Ivan B. Culaba d

a b c
Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering, Loyola Schools, Ateneo De Manila University
d
Department of Physics, School of Science and Engineering, Loyola Schools, Ateneo De Manila University
Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines * Corresponding Author: zaldy.alima@obf.ateneo.edu

ABSTRACT

One of the significant issues in teaching Science in most developing countries like the Philippines is the
absence of necessary equipment and reagents to deliver the 21st-century instruction. One approach to
address the lack of standard science equipment is the improvisation or innovation of teaching material. Gel
electrophoresis is a widely used method to separate DNA molecules using a matrix subjected to an electric
field. The molecular weight of the DNA can be estimated by comparing the DNA samples to a standard DNA
marker of known molecular weight. The DNA is visualized using a fluorescent dye. The main goal of this
research was to come up with a low-cost agarose gel electrophoresis apparatus for research and
instructional purposes. Five expert-raters validated the fabricated BioMigZ unit based on function and
overall capability, quality of gel results, durability of the materials, cost and expenses of materials, safety of
its operation and maintenance, and environmental impact. The apparatus was implemented to public
science teachers through LAC sessions. Based on t-test result, there was a significant difference between
electrophoresis pre-test and post-test for the proficiency level of teachers as the obtained t (20) = 6.525 and
p = 0.001 which was less than 0.05 alpha level. From the generated themes of the FGD responses, teachers
believed that (1) lectures and in-depth discussion of DNA extraction and electrophoresis were the most
helpful parts of the LAC sessions; (2) utilization of BioMigZ apparatus was engaging; (3) handling of the
equipment and getting the accurate values were lab techniques they learned; (4) knowledge on
electrophoresis was improved; (5) they could employ different strategies of teaching electrophoresis from
traditional to novel approaches; (6) they could fabricate and improvise own science equipment and
implement them; and (7) they found the content and methods of this study as excellent.

Keywords: gel electrophoresis, DNA extraction, laboratory techniques, fabrication, low-cost materials,
focus group discussion

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