Week 5

Hello everyone, so this week has not been quite as productive as I wanted it to be. I have been trying to figure out classes for next semester and dealing with tests all week in my classes. But I did finally get around to starting my DNA extraction protocols, so this week has not been a total loss. I started with the boiling method of DNA extraction and just sort of went down the list testing the different methods as I went along. I still have a couple more to test, but they will have to wait until next week. My phone broke and so I was not able to take any interesting photos besides this picture of my bacteria being centrifuged, which isn't particularly enthralling.

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Week 4

Extraction of DNA from Escherichia coli

Nathan Andrew

Is it possible to extract DNA from my sample of Escherichia coli for the purpose of analyzing the DNA? I think it is possible to extract DNA from my given sample. I chose this as my research topic because I am considering a degree in Biology and this is the first step on my journey to make my final decision as to what career path I will take and expand my horizons as a scientist. I decided to do try and extract DNA from Escherichia coli to genetically analyze it. It is important to conduct research in this area because analyzing the genetics of Escherichia coli can tell us an almost infinite number of things about the bacteria. It can give us insight to its virulence and how it affects human health and disease, as well as the specific subtype. In order to be able to analyze the DNA of E. coli though, I must first be able to extract it. In order to do this, I will be experimenting using several different bacterial DNA extraction methods, such as: Boiling protocol, TE Boiling Protocol, TE Freeze and Thaw Protocol, Lysis Protocol, Meat Tenderizer Protocol, and KIT Protocol. I will then use Electrophoresis and a nanodrop spectrophotometer to determine the amount of DNA present in my sample as well as the purity.

Name	I/D/C	Description
Escherichia coli	Constant	Bacteria used for attempting DNA extraction
DNA extraction protocols	Independent variable	Methods used to extract DNA from Escherichia coli bacteria
DNA amount and purity measured by electrophoresis or nanodrop spectrophotometer	Dependent variable	Amount and purity, if any, of DNA extracted from bacteria

Works Cited

De Oliveira, C. F., Paim, T. G. da S., Reiter, K. C., Rieger, A., & D’azevedo, P. A. (2014). EVALUATION OF FOUR DIFFERENT DNA EXTRACTION METHODS IN COAGULASE-NEGATIVE STAPHYLOCOCCI CLINICAL ISOLATES. Revista Do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, 56(1), 29–33. http://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652014000100004

These are some of the chemicals I will be using for the DNA extraction 

Week 3 Post

Hello everyone. So this week I spent most of my time working on my unknown bacterial identification project. Trying to keep thorough notes throughout the process has been a not so fun, but necessary challenge. I observed and recorded my bacterial colony morphology, performed a gram stain, and looked at my bacteria under the microscope to describe and record the cell morphology. Then according to the dichotomous key, I did an oxidase test, glucose fermentation, and a SIM test.  I have officially identified my bacteria to be E. Coli. I also helped Luis get caught up and showed him how to do a streak plate and explained the process of gram staining since he has never taken microbiology. So it was nice to make a new friend in the process and be able to help someone else out. Below are images of my glucose fermentation results as well as my SIM test after 24 hours of incubation.  

Week 2 Post

Okay, so good news everyone! I did my interview this afternoon for the internship with the biosciences department and despite my awkwardness and lack of definitive answers to questions about my life's decisions, they picked me like a booger haha. So hurray! I'm super excited to find out what lies ahead in the weeks to come. For now, I started out by watching some rather interesting lab safety videos. Next week, I am going to start my unknown bacteria project, so hopefully taking Cori Leonetti’s Microbiology class over the previous summer will come in handy and keep me from panicking and totally losing it!

Week 1 Post

This is my first semester in the STEM program. I am not entirely sure what to expect, but I am hoping to learn some new skills and gain some valuable experience. I am interested in doing an internship through Phoenix College in the biology department. I have an interview set up for this Thursday. Hopefully everything goes well!