Week 5

This week I conducted the DNA extraction from Staphylococcus Aureus which resulted to be the unknown bacteria. This conclusion was made on the observation of clustered circular positive gram stained organisms as well as the results of the following tests: positive catalyst test, positive glucose fermentation and positive MSA test.

Next, I ran the DNA extraction protocols with the header: Developing an Effective E-Coli Protocol and modified it a little because it made no sense.

Today, I analyzed the DNA concentrations obtained from the different protocols and out of the 4 samples that I had 2 results hit the sweet spot.

Next week I’ll be analyzing the same samples using some sort gel. Stay tuned to find out what that means.

Till next time,

Luis

Week 4

When I got back to lab on Tuesday, the test tube that I had left over the weekend to test for glucose fermentation was gone. 

By Friday, I had determined that the bacteria that I’m dealing with is: Gram-positive, circular in shape, and clustered together like grapes yummy. 

On Tuesday, what was left to do since I had no results, due to the missing test tube, was first and foremost get my own test tube rack. Then, I prepared all the identification test at the same time. 

Those were: Glucose fermentation, Lactose, TSI, and the salted agar test, i forget what the name of that one is. Those where place in the incubator at 37 celsius. Here is a video (hopefully it uploads, if not I’ll clip frames) that shows the different test tubes ready to cook.

Week THREE Post

 

Two days ago (Tuesday) was my first day working in the department under the supervision of Matt, and as customary I was watched the lab safety videos which are super important. I especially liked the last few set of short clips, they were hilarious yet it reminded me of the possibilities of catastrophes that can occur in a lab setting. Also, I got to learn many new things.  One such example is the different designations that I laboratory could be categorized as depending on the work that is performed within the facilities.

Today (Friday), I got started on the process of identifying an unknown bacteria and I got as far as I possibly could. Currently, there is a petri dish with my name in the incubator and a vial with an unknown sample in the refrigerator. Tomorrow I’ll be back in the lab to continue and do as much as I can in whatever time I’m allowed to have. Here is a picture of my streaked dish.

Hi everyone,

I would like to announce that I was interviewed on Friday by Matt and Joshua and I’m now a participant of the internship offered here at Phoenix College for S-STEM Scholars. I will be in the department mainly between the hours of 12:30 pm and 5 o’clock pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Fridays between 10 am and 12:00 pm. I’ll still be going to the hospital on the weekends but I will no longer be participating in the NASA Ascend project. I had to excuse myself from that collaboration because it was more than I could handle. However, I’m happy to be here because I know that I will learn many things from this experience aside from the fact that this internship defines more what I would like to be a part of in the future. 

Stay posted for more updates,

Luis Aparicio