Hello readers!
This first week of my research project has been dedicated to reviewing the research papers that I have used when I constructed my experiment. I have been focusing on Shosuke Yoshida’s team’s papers on I. sakaiensis’ discovery and other publications commenting on their breakthrough. I hope that my research has fully prepared me for my experiment before I step into the lab next week.
I am glad that I spent the time to review my research and experimental design before I got into the lab because I was able to catch a concerning detail in the first part of my experiment.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I will be genetically modifying bacteria for my experiment. In order to get V. natriegens to accept new genetic material, I need to use a thermal shock on the membrane to open up the bacteria. I realized that I based the temperatures of the thermal shock on the ones used for E. coli because I could not find the temperature range for V. natriegens. I believe that the thermal shock temperatures for the two bacteria are relatively the same but if anyone knows what the ideal thermal shock temperatures for V. natriegens are, then please let me know in the comment section below.
Reviewing my experiment also allowed me to make a few adjustments. Originally, I was planning to modify V. natriegens by inserting DNA from I. sakaiensis. Now I am planning to also modify I. sakaiensis by inserting DNA from V. natriegens. I hope that increasing the pool of hosts and DNA donors will increase the probability of creating my targeted bacteria by the end.
Playing with DNA and life in general tends to lead to unpredictable results so this will probably be the first in a series of revisions to my experiment. I love the unpredictable nature of my experiment (Watch me retract this statement later on). Who knows? Maybe I will end up discovering something bigger while I play with DNA in the lab.
Next week, I will be going to Arizona State University’s microbiology labs at their Tempe campus. I will be doing lab orientation and safety training before I begin the first part of my experiment.
I look forward to conducting my experiment and keeping all of you up to date on my research project. Best wishes and I will see you all next week.
- CJ Pimentel
It's a good thing that you read those papers this week then. And yes CJ, the ideal thermal temperature for V. natriegens is common knowledge. Even though I understood about half of what you said, considering my knowledge in biology is minimal, I think that increasing the "pool of hosts and DNA donors" is an excellent idea. It will definitely increase your probability of finding your targeted bacteria. I am looking forward to hearing about what you find. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that the literature research prompted you to realize an issue in, and accordingly adjust, your experiment. I know that happened a lot when I was interning in lab last summer, so that's a good sign! I like that you're performing genetic modifications from both sides (V. natriegens to I. sakaiensis and vice-versa) for more accuracy.
ReplyDeleteOh and the ideal thermal shock temperature for V. natriegens? It's in my notes from my first biology class, let me get back to you on that.
Sounds like a very cool project. It would be something amazing if you end up with an amazing discovery. I hope you have fun at the lab at ASU and I can't wait to hear more about your experiment!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really interesting project that can potentially lead to a great discovery! I'm glad to hear that you were able to catch a concerning detail in your experimental procedure early on. I'll look forward to your results!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, C.J.! I'd love to hear more about the lack of predictability inherent to this type of research--as someone with a background in the humanities, my impression of this type of nitty-gritty, detail-oriented research is that much of researchers' time is spent dealing in known quantities, with the occasional foray into the unknown. Does this factor of unpredictability play a role in your interest in pursuing research or medicine as a possible career path?
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