Time has just flown by. I don't want to talk about this experience ending but it's coming faster than I expected. Final presentations are this Thursday and our programs officially ends this Friday.
This week, I am finally able to get past the computational stage of my project and work in the wet lab. Tomorrow, I will be diluting 50 drug candidates to undergo a fluorescence assay. This assay uses fluorescence as a means to determine inhibition of HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1). The more inhibition of our enzyme, HDAC1, the less fluoresce. Wet lab is always an exciting task!
These past few weeks have been a constant adventure, from working in the lab to the weekend excursions, I've whole-heartedly enjoyed every minute. I've never been out of the country before and this experience has really given me to the chance to broaden my horizons. Combining my familiarity with research with the unknown was the best way to bridge the gap!
Thailand isn't the only thing I will miss when I get home. This experience has given me the chance to connect with so many people: my thai lab mates, the other SMRT members, LSAMP and even some of ESIT. It's sad to think that we will be going on our own paths soon. Though everyone has their own lives, we will always have Thailand and the summer of 2014.
With love from Thailand,
Judy Nguyen