WEEK 10

So this is my last blog ever!!!  This past week has been pretty crazy trying to cram in as much lab work as I could while also working on my final powerpoint presentation and paper.  

At the beginning of the week I extracted all of the samples that Lydie and I collected the week before (August 6). I then gel purified the samples and ran the samples with the RUBISCO primers for the cryptophyte algae. The DNA amplified really well and I purified the PCR products and prepped them for chemically competent cloning. I also ran these samples with the oMR-2 and 5.8ITS primers, however this reaction did not amplify as well. More work will need to be conducted with various dilutions. Lastly, I ran an 18S PCR reaction for all samples (2007 and 2008 red water and various samples from 2009 ranging from May to the most recent samples) using 2X more template and this produced very positive results.  

We received the RUBISCO sequences from the red water 2007 and 2008 samples and May 2009 samples. We began to analyze these samples and created a phylogenetic tree in order to genetically compare these samples with database sequences for Teleaulax (the species of cryptophyte determined to be preyed upon by M. rubra in 2007 and 2008 studies) and a diatom. This figure can be seen in my final powerpoint which is attached below. 

Overall this internship has been an amazing learning experience. Not only have I learned a lot about microbial ecology and molecular biology but I have been able to experience first hand what life in a research lab is like. It has made me realize the importance of passion in one's work and it has helped me fine tune my interests. I am so thankful for this great opportunity and the amazing people I have had the privilege of working with!