Week 14. Semester 3. Wrapping up.

Today, Friday December 11th, the S-STEM Scholars will be presenting their work on campus. At the moment I am finalizing the power point presentation. 

Typically, I abstain myself from deviating from data and procedure updates in this blog. However, this week is our last in the semester and I wanted to take the time to thank the NSF and the Phoenix College Biosciences Department, especially Dr. Amanda Chapman and Dr. Rosati for making this experience possible.

Thanks to all my fellow S-STEM scholars and our wonderful mentors for their continued support in our academic and personal life.

Special thanks to Dr. Robin Cotter for her amazing passion for teaching and empowering the students in the project. To Cori for always being there for us and for all the helpful insights and techniques taught during the semester. Thanks Josh for always listening and encouraging the scholars and Matt for being so helpful in the lab. Thanks to Kim and Ana for their niceness!!

And finally, thanks to each and every one of the interns for the wonderful conversations and the support we give each other!

I am glad to plan to return next semester and continue being a part of this wonderful group of people!

Photo courtesy of Phoenixcollege.edu

Week 13. Semester 3. Sequencing trip to ASU

Thursday 12/03 we visited ASU to drop off samples for sequencing. The samples dropped were labeled mip 1 through 10. 

Utilizing a NanoDrop to quantify the mass of DNA in each tube, the mass for each sample was recorded in ng/mL.

First the NanoDrop was blanked with 1µL of sterile water. Only one blank was necessary for all the samples.

The apparatus was wiped with a KimWipe in between the blank and each sample.

1µL of each sample and positive control (purified from agarose gels) was used per sample.

Once the mass was recorded, the tubes were prepared as follows for sequencing:

Each sample had to contain at least 20ng per tube. The smallest mass recorded was ≈5ng/mL. Therefore, 4µL of each sample and controls were added to each labeled tube along with another volume of forward primer. Depending on the sample type, mip or 16s, 2µL primer was added.

Visiting ASU has been a very nice experience. The man running the lab, Scott is always very nice and I feel our short talks and this explanations of how sequencing works have been a meaningful part of my experience this semester.

ASU main

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