Lab-on-a-Chip DNA Profiling

In chamber R, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is conducted. This ingenious reaction, which won a Nobel Prize for Kary Mullis, who invented the process in 1984, amplifies (makes many copies) chosen sections of DNA. The microfluidic system conducts 27 cycles of amplification to make about 10 copies of each of 16 short tandem repeat sections of DNA found in the human genome. Each cycle of PCR amplification takes 4 min and requires changing the temperature of chamber R to 94°, 59°, and 72°C. Every repetition of the temperature sequence doubles the amount of the selected DNA. Primers used to start each DNA replication are labeled with one of four different fluorescent dyes. Each of the 16 different kinds of DNA that is replicated is uniquely characterized by the combination of the color of its fluorescence and the number of base pairs in the DNA. 

Chamber F contains formamide solvent and a set of DNA standards used to calibrate the rate at which different lengths of DNA migrate in gel electrophoresis. These standards 

DNA evidence is good at excluding innocent people, but sloppy laboratory work could incriminate the wrong person. Forensic analysis requires meticulous execution without preconception of who is guilty. The automated microfluidic device not only reduces the time for DNA profiling, but also removes many sources of human error from the results. 

(a) Hexanoic acid and 1-aminohexane, adjusted to pH 12 with NaOH, were passed through a cation-exchange column loaded with NaOH at pH 12. State the principal species that will be eluted and the order in which they are expected. 

H eluted from the column required 13.03 mL of 0.022 74 M NaOH for titration. Find the weight percents of VOSO4, H2SO4, and H2O in the vanadyl sulfate. 

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