Algal Research Project

For my research project this semester, I wanted to do something regarding algae with a focus on genetics. So, I came up with a toxicity bioassay based on J.I. Nirmal Kumar's study, "Toxicity analysis of pesticides on cyanobacterial species by 16s rDNA molecular characterization."

Once I isolate single colonies of my algal species, Nannochloropsis sp. and Arthrospira platensis, I will do a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) of the 16s RNA gene. Then I will subject the cultures to increasing amount of foliar pesticide, tebuconazole, similar to Kumar's study. However, I will be using a home use formula of the same brand, Kumar used a commercial agriculture formulation. The idea is to continue doing a PCR and record any mutations in the RNA structure; such as insertions, deletions or mismatching of base pairs.

Here are a few photos of the starter cultures.

citation: Kumar, J.I. Nirmal, et al. "Toxicity analysis of pesticides on cyanobacterial species by 16s rDNA molecular characterization." Proceedings of the International Academy of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 3.2 (2013)

Glad to be Back

Hi everybody! It feels really good to be back and I hope to hit the ground running, so to speak. I have decided to do my project on the toxicity of pesticides on cyanobacterial species; in this case Nannochloropsis and Arthrospira aka Spirulina. Matt has already ordered the cultures, so hopefully things go smoothly while I try to grow my cyanobacteria. Since it may not work out, I may do a back up project concerning algae. I'm not sure what at this point, so cross your fingers for me! I look forward to seeing you all at orientation Friday. Here's to a great semester! :)

Photo: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/bacteria/spirulina.jpg

Last Week!

It makes me kinda sad to think this is the last week we will all be here at PC Biosciences. On the bright side, we'll all have a nice field trip at the end of finals week! I must say though, I am dreading finals week. My hardest final is going to be on Monday so its a mad dash to the finish line. My research paper is done and I have taken a crack at my powerpoint project, but I am still working on the aesthetics of it. Wish me luck everyone! At least we have one thing to look forward to when all our finals are done!

http://blog.ccbcmd.edu/sdeminds/files/2013/05/Finals.jpg

Thanksgiving

Hi everyone! Sorry that this update is late, but things have been crazy. Which is typically par for the course, I must say. In all seriousness, my grandmother passed away on the 23rd so I have been more than a little distracted to say the least. Thanksgiving was just not the same without her. In other news, the end of the semester signals the mad rush at finishing final projects and papers. Mine is coming along nicely, but I still have to finish my presentation.

http://www.self-catering-breaks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/turkey.jpg

What I've learned

So this week in S-STEM, I reapplied for the program next semester. On the application, there was a question about how being in the program has affected me. There's so much I could say about how it has affected me, both academically and personally, but I want to share just three things. For starters, I will never allow myself to fall behind with my classwork again. I've been fighting and uphill battle with my homework; lesson learned. Also, I won't take more than one hard science class at a time, that was an especially hard lesson. With CHEM151 and PHY101, this semester was especially challenging. The third, is to never be afraid to ask for help. When I fell behind, I felt a lot of shame about not fulfilling my obligations. I felt so guilty, that I just didn't want to show my face, and that's when things really seemed hopeless. When I finally came clean about my situation, I was completely overwhelmed by the support I received. Now I am actually caught up, so it wasn't as hopeless as I thought. So hang in there guys!

http://www.newmediaandmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Do-not-get-frustrated-in-direct-sales.jpg

Field Trip to the Arizona Museum of Natural History

Last week the S-STEM scholars went on a field trip to the AZ Museum of Natural History in Mesa, AZ. We had a blast and took lots of pictures as you can see below. My favorite part was the mineral section, I used to collect all sorts of stones so that exhibit was right up my alley!

Leptosuchus was a reptile that lived in the wetlands near the Petrified Forest, and looks like a crocodile BUT it evolved divergently them.

Estemmenosuchus, a mammal-like reptile that is an ancestor to modern crocodiles.

Postosuchus and Placerias are mammal-like reptiles that lived in the Petrified Forest aka the Triassic Forest of Arizona.

Longnose Gar, a living species of fish that exist in the fossil record going back 100-240 million years ago

The Columbian Mammoth and the American Mastodon 

Creatures that lived in Arizona when it was still covered in water and their tank-mates...

...The Symmorium, an ancestor of modern day sharks

This mural represents the journey onto land for various insects such as the giant millipede and the water scorpion

One-toed Hagerman Horse and Jeanette

A type of Quartz crystal

Collection of different types of Quartz crystals

Pentaceratops, like a Triceratops, but has two additional spikes coming from either cheek.

And My Bacterium Is....

       This week has been a crazy one since there is no school on Monday due to Veteran's Day. However, I still was able to identify my unknown bacteria. Last Friday I performed the SIM (Sulfide-Indole-Motility) test, and predicted that my unknown was Escherichia coli. For this test, you inoculate a sterile needle with your sample, and stab it through the testing media and incubate. Here are the results of the test.

SIM Test Results

To read the test, we look to see if there is any black coloration around the inoculation site. My sample did not, so it is negative for sulfur. Next is motility; when you first inoculate the medium, it is a clean line through. If there is a blurry cloud around the site, as is my sample, it is positive for motility. Therefore, negative sulfide and positive motility on the dichotomous key I was given indicates that my bacterium is....

Escherichia Coli!! 

I knew it!