By the way...

I've now decided to stay in Dr. Tuohy's lab and skip my second rotation. I became so fascinated with my project that I just had to stay. If you'd like to learn more about what we do in the lab, please visit our web page at the following link: http://www.lerner.ccf.org/immuno/tuohy/

New Biotech Techniques

Yesterday I placed an order for some equipment that will help us take the new biotech class to the next level. We will soon have a gel apparatus that will allow us to conduct a protein test known as SDS-PAGE followed by what is known as a Western Blot which together help scientists gauge the amount of protein in a sample. This might seem insignificant but when you think about conducting research on the effects of a protein on the body, you first have to prove you have enough purified protein to begin with. These are just a couple of techniques I've learned at the Cleveland Clinic and am anxious to share them with my students at WRA. This could be the beginning of some fantastic independent research projects!

Biotechnology

With the help of the Dad’s Club we have been able to order new lab kits that will help our students gain hands on experience in forensics and biotechnology. This will range from forensic anthropology to gene cloning and will also include some all-time CSI favorites such as DNA fingerprinting. Here at the Cleveland Clinic I’ve learned how to purify proteins of interest and complete a Western Blot which can be used to quantify protein. These are techniques which I plan to bring back to WRA and teach to our students sometime in the near future. It’s an overwhelming learning experience but well worth it.