The last two days in the lab have been spent on learning how to make a gel for electrophoresis. Electrophoresis allows us to put our DNA into a gel, run electrcity through a solution, and see if we replicated the correct DNA strands for sequencing. Our first try at electrophoresis failed, because we did not put in a key ingredient to the solution we put into the gel, but when we tried it the second time, it worked beautifully!
Me mixing DNA Extraction mixture and Electrophoresis Dye
Close up of the mixing
Laura putting the Mixture into the Gel
Our successfully filled Electrophoresis Gel!
Electrophoresis Machine Running!
Our successful gel read!
Yesterday we looked at our agar plates full of beautiful bacteria. It was fun getting to look at all of the different species of bacteria growing on the plates. It was amazing see all of the different types in such a small area. We believe this will be a great way to show students about diversity of species.
One of our cool bacteria plates
We also had 2 fun excursions out into the museum. The first excursion was a nice relaxing trip up to the butterfly house. I loved seeing all of the beautiful butterflies flit around my head. Then we got to sit in on a cool Daily Planet Talk by Dr. Julie Urban. She talked about how animals and bacteria life in symbiosis with one another. It was fascinating to learn how planthopper insects make cells in their bodies to stick bacteria into, and then they become permanent appendages. Crazy! She also talked about the Hawaiian Bobtailed Squid and how it uses bioluminescent bacteria inside of their eyes as counter illumination to defend against predators! So Cool!
Longwing Butterfly
Postman Butterfly
Julie giving her symbiosis Daily Planet Talk
The Hawaiian Bobtailed Squid