Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Back in the lab

Today I Exosap'd Exons 8 and 9 and transferred them to plates.  I made sure to orient the DNA samples in such a way that it would speed up the process of loading them into the trays for sequencing.  Any little thing to speed up the process helps!  I also did an amplification on Exon 10, the next exon in line to be sequenced.  In addition, I ran a second amplification on Exon 7.  In my last gel the primer dimer was VERY bright.  Too bright compared to the DNA band.  I added less primer to this amplification, so hopefully it will be more successful.

Since I am at a break of sorts (while two of the PCR machines are in use) I am going to the Student Athlete/Artist exhibit in the Student Life center.  When I get back I will run the two amplifications on a gel and try to amplify Exon 11 and 12.  If the gel turns out alright I will probably start tomorrow off with exosaping Exons 7 and 10.  I'm glad I'm starting to move through the Exons quicker . . . although I'm still not sure if I'll be able to finish everything in time!  If I can't then my presentation and paper will just have to be about the process of working between labs, the steps I took to sequence what I could, and any results I acquire.

Speaking of results, the only base change(s) I found from Exon 1 and 2 are insignificant.  Melanie emailed me; she will explain how she came to that conclusion next time I go to the center.  The more experience I can get with this type of research, the better!

No comments:

Post a Comment