These past two weeks, we've been repeating experiments in order to collect data on the telomere project. My postdoc Elisia made graphs of our data which I can use for my poster. The two undergraduate students in my lab, Jake and Delia, attend UPenn and are in a program similar to EXP. They're also required to make a poster, which is nice because we've been helping each other out with our respective posters.
As expected, NF-kB signaling, which causes muscle breakdown, is more prevalent in the injured and Ikk2 (in which Ikk2 protein, which is responsible for inflammatory responses, is present) mice. Similarly, their telomeres show shortening. However, our data for the actual experiment, where we try to find the cause of this telomere shortening, is not statistically significant; the error bars for the graphs overlap. We can't say for certain yet whether the cause is DNA damage, shelterin (protects telomeres) damage, or ATF7 (a protein coding gene) mutation. My postdoc said that the problem with our DNA damage test might have been that one of the antibodies added did not properly fluoresce. So while the DAPI (nuclei) and telomere staining for our cells worked, we couldn't pinpoint particular foci for DNA damage when we analyzed the images in the microscope room. Next week, we're using a different antibody to hopefully get some expected results.
Also, making the effort to talk to my labmates has really paid off; I found out that my postdoc enjoys watching many of the same anime I watch! My lab technician David and the undergraduates update me on the World Cup matches, since I don't follow much soccer. Delia, an avid supporter of Team Germany, couldn't stop talking about their loss to South Korea for the past two weeks. We also watched hilariously bad lip sync videos to High School Musical while waiting for the centrifuge steps in PCR. On a more serious note, Delia and Jake have also told me about their experiences as UPenn undergrads and have given me really helpful advice about applying to college. Since David will attend UPenn's grad school this fall, my PI joked that our entire lab will consist of Penn students if I decide to attend Penn also.
We've prepared assays to quantify muscle stem cell (MuSC) proliferation in injured mice. I've been doing a lot of cell-counting for the past couple of days. David, who's focusing on a different project, makes fun of me for having to do it. Counting cells seems dull, but I have gotten used to it especially because I know it's really important for the paper that Elisia is working on.
It feels like my time at the lab is quickly coming to a close. Delia, who lives in Maryland, is going back home for a break next Wednesday. Elisia is leaving after next week for vacation too, and David leaves around the same time I do. Hopefully I can work hard and make the most of the next two weeks!
As expected, NF-kB signaling, which causes muscle breakdown, is more prevalent in the injured and Ikk2 (in which Ikk2 protein, which is responsible for inflammatory responses, is present) mice. Similarly, their telomeres show shortening. However, our data for the actual experiment, where we try to find the cause of this telomere shortening, is not statistically significant; the error bars for the graphs overlap. We can't say for certain yet whether the cause is DNA damage, shelterin (protects telomeres) damage, or ATF7 (a protein coding gene) mutation. My postdoc said that the problem with our DNA damage test might have been that one of the antibodies added did not properly fluoresce. So while the DAPI (nuclei) and telomere staining for our cells worked, we couldn't pinpoint particular foci for DNA damage when we analyzed the images in the microscope room. Next week, we're using a different antibody to hopefully get some expected results.
Also, making the effort to talk to my labmates has really paid off; I found out that my postdoc enjoys watching many of the same anime I watch! My lab technician David and the undergraduates update me on the World Cup matches, since I don't follow much soccer. Delia, an avid supporter of Team Germany, couldn't stop talking about their loss to South Korea for the past two weeks. We also watched hilariously bad lip sync videos to High School Musical while waiting for the centrifuge steps in PCR. On a more serious note, Delia and Jake have also told me about their experiences as UPenn undergrads and have given me really helpful advice about applying to college. Since David will attend UPenn's grad school this fall, my PI joked that our entire lab will consist of Penn students if I decide to attend Penn also.
We've prepared assays to quantify muscle stem cell (MuSC) proliferation in injured mice. I've been doing a lot of cell-counting for the past couple of days. David, who's focusing on a different project, makes fun of me for having to do it. Counting cells seems dull, but I have gotten used to it especially because I know it's really important for the paper that Elisia is working on.
It feels like my time at the lab is quickly coming to a close. Delia, who lives in Maryland, is going back home for a break next Wednesday. Elisia is leaving after next week for vacation too, and David leaves around the same time I do. Hopefully I can work hard and make the most of the next two weeks!
| 1600 cells and counting... |
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