Weekly Blog #3

Vocabulary to Know: 

Bleaching: The longer you leave fluorescent light on a fluorescent substance for example that you would use to tag molecules, the fluorescence will fade and it will be lighter.

Story of a Moment:

It was great to see how excited everybody got at the lab when the results were successful for the tracking bubbles. As I walked out of the lab everyone was happy that it was a good, productive day. 

 

What have I learned? 

This week I got to observe how they tested whether these bubbles they produce will stick to blood cells. I am a bit confused about whether this is just white or red blood cells. These bubbles can be tracked to see where there is low blood flow or other kinds of blood flow-related problems. A modification to the outside receptors of the bubbles will make it bind to platelets or other molecules diversifying the possible molecules that they can track. These bubbles are luminescent under certain light white the cells appear clearer under a different kind of light making it quite interesting to see how you can superimpose two images with different lighting to highlight both the bubbles and the cells. 

Pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qPf2n4jt1cUbEGZA7

Questions I have:

How limiting is it to vow not to do research with live animals? Is it possible to have a lab that makes progress and innovates without animal subjects?

Reflection on Progress Towards goals from Week 1:

1. I want to learn about the process of getting funding for research, finding lab space, putting together a team, etc. all of the logistics.

In the last lab meeting, Dr. Lindner mentioned that "only with a great exception will they fund 5-year grants". By they, he meant the NIH. Instead, he would rather ask for a 1-year grant for more money and then ask for a new one the following year.

I know that there is an interview process for research labs like there would be for any other job but I don't know if that includes recruiting out of undergrad or grad students. 

2. I want to learn the ins and outs of the experiment that Dr. Lindner and his team are carrying out. 

I think that by now I have a proficient understanding of the experiment. I am transitioning towards other parts of the lab. The team has a lot of projects going on at once. This was evident in the lab meeting that I joined last Friday. I am technically working on The Anh's project tracking leukocyte speed BUT Emma is working on Matt Hagan's, Aris and Melinda are working with the bubbles I mentioned and those bubbles are useful both to increase blood flow and to track low blood flow and other problems depending on how you use them. I am to get to know everybody else's projects.

3. I would lastly like to learn about what steps Dr. Lindner and his team take to treat the mice humanely and whether similar experiments could be run either without taking the animals' lives.

I don't have anything new this week but I will keep looking for alternatives to mice, or how they reduce mouse mortality in the lab.