Samples are prepared for PCR experiments by adding DNA from a species, Taq polymerase, either tagged or untagged nucleotides, and the correct primers required to amplify the target gene. In a real experiment the correct amount of each reagent is important, but in this simulation the focus is on having the students know what they need to add and not how much to add. The Taq and nucleotides are available in the bottles on the back of the lab bench and the necessary primers are available by clicking on the primer menu and selecting from the available list or adding custom primers.
The pipet is used to transfer the DNA, primers, and reagents to the tubes or to transfer samples from tube to tube or to the gel. The species menu and primer menu each have pipet icons that are used to fill the pipet with DNA of the selected species or with the selected primer. Using the pipet is a matter of dragging the pipet over a tube or bottle and clicking. If the pipet leans to the right then the pipet is empty and clicking fills the pipet. If the pipet leans to the left then the pipet is full and clicking empties the pipet.