Research Update: We Found One Source of the Problem! I did activity assay on my protein this week and discovered that it's activity had decreased remarkably since last year, even under identical conditions. I talked with Dr. Weinert and discovered that even the most stable proteins only last 6 months at best. My protein is already a year old - even in -80C storage - it goes bad. So, I just have to isolate new! The RNA I was using for the activity assay is also likely not in the best condition. It's phosphorylated on its 3' end and Dr. Weinert said that with their cyclic phosphates - which are different, but similar enough - they see degradation within a month. Mine are also a year old. So, I ordered new of those on Friday! While listening to the speaker this Friday, experiments started coming together in my mind. I think I have a way to label my RNA substrate with a duel tag. With such a label, I will be able to confirm splice product without PCR, theoretically. It's *very* exciting! But alas! Summer is ending and I have only two more weeks to get real things done in lab before focusing seriously on writing my second year report. And classes are about to start. I'm hoping I can get some key pieces of data that will help before then. Man, it'll be awesome when I'm done with everything! I look forward to diving back into research after the fall craziness ends.
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Rolling Statuses: Technical journal blog. Here you may discover what the daily life of a grad student looks like: day-to-day snippets of life, clutter, rolling statuses and unimportant fluff.
Progress Updates: Will include entries with more meaningful science. Weekly lab report: My write-ups on what I did each week (I posted these publicly during my rotation but not as much now. That may change.) Science StatusHere is a link to collected writing, poster and presentation tips.
As of February 8, 2014 I have officially joined the Salaita lab!! Very exciting. Stay tuned for updates. "Micro Min" category equates to grad school journaling; most of these have moved to my status updates blog under Home tab. See "progress updates" on this blog for more important news.
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