5 November 2020
By: Juan Ayala and Quinlan Lammers
In our previous blog post we mainly discussed the process of cDNA synthesis and RNA isolations using new equipment like using the homogenizer and a refrigerated centrifuge. In these previous weeks we have been working on qPCR practice, and the formation of a standard curve. We have practiced this firsthand with beta-actin instead of using our primers. While practicing this new technique we have also been successful in our gene’s progress. We had recently sent our sequence for our PCR product to be tested to show us if it matched with what we have been studying. Our results came back and it showed us that our sequence is 100% identical to our gene. This made our multiple PCR attempts worthwhile.
After receiving this information, we were then able to procced to performing a qPCR using our primers instead of beta-actin. Our results from our practice showed a good standard curve and it went very well. In our second run with our gene we didn’t have the same outcome, but we believe that something went wrong with our dilution steps or just pipetting errors.
Let’s talk about what’s next. There are more qPCR protocols we still have to do. Once we run the gels that we need to confirm our results, we will most likely be able to show final outcomes.
This is our last blog post. It has been amazing what RiseBio has been these last 3 semesters. The RiseBio program is something that all beginning scientist should do when beginning college. It has given us opportunities that will be remembered for the rest of our lifetimes and gives us a bigger step to research. Thank you to all the lovely people (and lizards) who inspired us to become the scientists we hope to be in the future. Enough of the memories, lets finish this post on a good note. Just because this semester is almost coming to an end that doesn’t mean that our desire to do research will end either this is just the beginning.
