S4 32: Sequencing Update

                                                                                   

Sequencing Update

This week in the lab, we got the results back from our plasmids that we sent to get genetically sequenced. They came back without any problems so I guess my dilutions were right. I am glad! It's a funny reminder of how I need to be more confident and trusting of myself in the lab setting. Out of the four samples we sent to be sequenced we got matches from the Blast data base. The next steps of our project are to repeat the yeast two hybrid with added concentrations of Bexarotene and see if we get the same type of RXR binding as we did we the current sample. But for now, I get to enjoy spring break first. 

S4 31: BRB

Be Right Back
This week, I didn't really see lab time because I have three midterms next week so I have been hiding away and studying. What I have focused on this week was gathering information on my Yeast 2 Hybrid project in preparation for the project backgrounds we have to write. This week has been pretty intense with the work load. I am trying to push through and keep telling myself that spring break is one week away. It didn't help that I thought last week was the last week before break but life goes on. I can't wait until these midterms are over and I can get back in the lab.

S4 30: Rough Day in the Lab

Rough Day in the Lab

Let's just say I am glad today is almost over. One of the things I hate the most is not remembering how to do something that I know I learned and should know how to do, especially if it is easy. It also made me question if I am cutout for research.
Basically, I needed to perform a few dilutions before I could get the right volume concentrations for my experiment. I started with my M1V1=M2V2 formula and got some tiny numbers that made me question the answers. After over an hour of trying to remember, getting frustrated, self-doubting, and venting about how much I don't think I'm cutout for research, I think got some maybe half correct calculations. I hope they are right. Today helped me realized that doing dilution calculations for chemistry homework doesn't really work the same in the lab.  I realized that sometimes you have to scale up, scale back down, and then scale up because the lab equipment doesn't measure smaller than 2uL on a micro-pipette.

S4 30: Trouble Shooting

Today in the lab, I focused on trying to do some trouble-shooting in order to extract the third and final plasmid to be sent for sequencing. My PI is thinking that there is possibly a mutation in this sample that is causing cells to produce its own LacZ and histindine. For this reason, we believe that this is why we were seeing blue cells when we performed the Xgal Assay awhile back. So, I am going to try two more transformation with different DNA concentrations to see if we get sufficient results this time. If not, we are going with the mutation idea and sending our other two samples for sequencing and calling it a day.

S4 29: Another Day in the Lab

Another Day in the Lab
I have to admit that one of my biggest struggles this past semester was keeping good research notes. I would typically find myself using my research notebook for mostly notes and it was challenging to keep everything in sections since we aren't suppose to skip pages. So last semester I thought by keeping notes and procedures on the google drive would solve my problem but it did not. I then began to struggle with having notes and procedures in multiple places and I found that the disorganization ultimately affected my productivity in the lab. When I sought guidance from my research mentor, she suggested a few resources I try out and supported my desire to have an electronic research notebook. I familiarized myself with Microsoft One-Note and I am so glad I did, because its design layout was exactly what I had in mind! I am now able to have the app on my phone too, and it really allows for me to be more time efficient in the lab and refer back to my notes easily. My favorite feature is being able to take a photo of lab procedures on my One-Note mobile app and also instantly automatically sync it to my computer. Then, I can quickly add notes directly onto my photo. I even started using one note for my classes this semester, and I definitely recommend everyone to try it out.

S4 28: Wow! How Time Flies!

https://www.clipartmax.com/download/m2i8i8G6i8H7N4A0_time-flying-cliparts-time-flies-clip-art/

Wow! How Time Flies!

I still can't believe that winter break is over, and it's almost been two weeks back into the spring semester. This semester I will be continuing my work with Dr. Marshall at ASU-West focusing on Yeast Two Hybrid. I believe that this semester we are going to be testing how different compound concentrations affect the different protein reactions in the Yeast Two Hybrid experiments. I could be a little off as I am still learning about this myself. I am looking forward to getting back in the lab. However, I had to go back to work full-time this semester and am a little nervous on how the semester will turn out. Wish me luck!

S3 27: See Ya Next Semester

See Ya Next Semester

This past week, I focused on testing another an alternative X-gal assay on yeast cells. This was the second alternative procedure that I had tried and it was successful. I had some extra time in the lab before the semester comes to a close, so my research mentor suggested that I try transforming the other two DNA samples again. The rationale for attempting a second transformation was because they previously tested positive for LacZ. Going back to the DNA sample that we were able to extract, I performed a miniprep on the bacteria cells to increase our plasmid yield. Hopefully, I will be able to have a successful DNA plasmid extraction from the other two samples and all three DNA samples can be sent for sequencing.