July 6th-11th blogs

July 9, 2007
We started today with a different crystallization technique of PS I called microdialysis tubing. Dr. Fromme mentioned that this type of technique is something that she shows her students the last due to the difficulty of the process. This involves the preparation of materials (microdialysis tube) and probably a more careful and steady hand specially when we get to trying to “fish” for crystals to be seeded. The next part of this technique will be continued on Thursday.
July 10th blog
We worked today with Dr. Wachter and her technician named Nam. Dr. Wachter gave a powerpoint presentation on PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and she gave us a little background on DNA. They are also involved in crystallization of protein called GFP (green fluorescent protein) from a jellyfish. After the powerpoint presentation, we started working on the process of PCR . We combine all the chemicals needed for PCR and centrifuge the PCR ingredients. We were given a chance to again use the tools that they use such as micropippetors , showed us how to use the PCR machine and how to prepare the agarose gell needed to show the movement of chemical (DNA). The lab we did today is a different experience which gave me a very neat experience and understanding of how DNA is used in PCR. This is an experience that I can take in the classroom as we are in the age of biotechnology.
July 11th blog
We started our day with placing the agarose gel in the electrophoresis chamber, transferred the PCR cocktail of chemicals we prepared yesterday and left it for an hour. Meanwhile, Dr. Wachter gave a powerpoint presentation on their goals and background on their research which is the GFP protein. It was good to be able to follow what was going on in the lab since I had a little bit of background on DNA J.