This past week was our first full week of research in the lab. While waiting on a chemical reagent to extract the DNA from the frog samples we collected in the field, we began working on samples that had already been through the first step of DNA extraction. We started by taking two 10 samples each from two different frog species and running them through a PCR machine for about three hours. We then combined the PCR product with Gel Red (used instead of Ethydium Bromide) and a loading dye to load them into wells for gel electrophoresis. Once the gel was finished running (about forty minutes), we took a picture of the gel and made sure that the primer used worked well enough to separate the base pairs for these species. We then repeated the process, this time switching the primers used for each species. In the end, we discovered that two different primers worked well enough to give us our data for the two species.
One of the days, we took a break from research and headed over to the Veterinary Sciences campus to help other students with their presentations. We listened in to different presentations from bone identification, to the genetic basis for patellar luxation in dogs. Although the speakers presented in Thai, some of their powerpoints were in English, so I was able to follow along and ask questions about their research. The students presented to a teacher and other students, and although they were not getting graded, the process served as a way to hear critiques about their research and presentation in order to improve the final product. I thought this was a great way to make sure that they were comfortable enough with their research and understood it enough to be confident in the final presentation. The environment was incredibly informal and they all wanted to help each other improve. The presenters ranged from first year students to Masters and PhD students. It was interesting learning about their research, but also learning about how their class system works.
-Kyley Olson
One of the days, we took a break from research and headed over to the Veterinary Sciences campus to help other students with their presentations. We listened in to different presentations from bone identification, to the genetic basis for patellar luxation in dogs. Although the speakers presented in Thai, some of their powerpoints were in English, so I was able to follow along and ask questions about their research. The students presented to a teacher and other students, and although they were not getting graded, the process served as a way to hear critiques about their research and presentation in order to improve the final product. I thought this was a great way to make sure that they were comfortable enough with their research and understood it enough to be confident in the final presentation. The environment was incredibly informal and they all wanted to help each other improve. The presenters ranged from first year students to Masters and PhD students. It was interesting learning about their research, but also learning about how their class system works.
-Kyley Olson