Week 4/5

Because my mentor had been in and out of town, we haven't had adequate time to train me on my project's required techniques. But this week we finally got to really get started on things.

This summer I am purifying the protein PHM, which is a long tedious process that requires a great amount of precision and attention to detail. The purification begins with a salting out process where a salt is added to the protein mixture, allowing it to precipitate out of the liquid it is in. We centrifuge the salted mixture to separate the solidified protein and then resuspend it into a buffer solution.  

The next step takes the longest: size exclusion chromatography. In the labw e have a long column and it is filled with tiny beads with very tiny holes. As we pour the protein mixture through it, the smaller proteins (not PHM) go through the holes of the beads and take longer to move through the column, while PHM is too big for the holes and flows around the beads and therefore comes out first. We collect the PHM then flush the remaining waste through the column.

This week we also had some grad students come talk to us about their experience and explaing the ins and outs of getting your PhD. It was very helpful because being an undergrad I am only surrounded by other undregrads and most teachers/advisors are focused on getting you to grad school as opposed to what is in store. (Kind of like having a baby... you read all kinds of books and get lots of advice on having the baby but you never think to learn about what to do once you have it!) Anyway, I am strongly considering it and am fortunately well informed about all of my options.

On Tuesday we have our presentations!! I am nervous but I think I will be well-prepared for them and very excited to see what everyone else is doing in their labs.