Cleaning, Presentation, and Pictures

7-12-10
All of the rock samples from both sites were imaged using the Stereoscope today. The first picture was at the lowest magnification, followed by 1.25, 1.6, and finally 2.0. In each, I tried to find the biofilm and obtain images of that specifically, gradually building toward the highest magnification used.

Also, I cleaned various oxides using Ethanol and the Sorvall centrifuge at 3750rpm for 10 minutes per spin, followed by removal of the supernatant until each had been completely added. After this I used tetrahydrafuranol to precipitate the organics in a layer that was removed. Then I resuspended the pellet and spun it down again.

Work was done on the presentation that I will have to give this week to make up for the graph presentation that was missed last week.

7-13-10
Completed presentation and performed a practice talk with Wendy and Minnie.
Lab meeting

7-14-10
Polished presentation in the morning, around 11am went to SEM with Wendy and Minnie to look for more bacteria-like pictures (Y guys specifically) in the Soda Bay samples.

7-15-10
Prepared 20mL of 4 different media in serum bottles. This was performed with sterilization via fire at the top of each bottle as well as the container in which the media was transferred (transferred via 10mL pipepette).
Performed another practice talk
Performed half-way point talk in front of Vanessa, Wendy, et al
In order to sterilize the needles necessary to carry out the rest of the serum procedure, I washed the needles with soap and water and then allowed filtered water to flow through each needle continuously for 60 seconds. Afterward the needles were placed in a pre-autoclaved collection tube and then autoclaved for 20 minutes.