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Cleeton recounts her experience:
In my summer science project at Kenyon College with
professor Slonczewski, I investigated the effect of pH on gene expression
in the gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis. At the end
of the summer microarrays were used to see if there was differential
gene expression in the bacteria grown in different pH conditions. With
help from Jessie Wilks (’08), I spent the first part of the summer measuring
the growth of B. subtilis at varying pHs to determine which conditions
I would use for the experiment. In the end, pH 6,7, and 9 were chosen
because the bacteria could grow exponentially rather reliably under
these conditions. The rest of my time at Kenyon was spent growing the
bacteria and extracting and cleaning their RNA with the help of Grace
Lee (’09). Once we obtained the RNA, we determined the quantity and
quality of each sample using a NanoDrop Spectrophotometer. For the last
week of the experiment Grace and I went to the Gene Expression Center
(GEC) at the University of Wisconsin in Madison to use their expensive
microarray equipment.
Grace and I arrived in Madison on a Saturday morning, so we had almost
two full days to explore and get acquainted with the city. The first
day, after checking into the hotel, we walked around State Street and
the terrace on Lake Monona that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
The rest of the weekend we spent exploring the zoo, enjoying ethnic
restaurants, and relaxing in the hot tub at the hotel.
Early Monday morning Grace and I went to the GEC where we met Sandra,
with whom we had been corresponding throughout the summer about the
quality of the RNA samples, and Wayne, the lab technician. First, we
were given a tour of the large and impressive lab. The lab at Madison
was much different from the lab at Kenyon mainly in that it was much
larger and much more modern. After the tour Sandra explained some microarray
basics and gave us some background information on the different types
of microarrays that existed. The rest of the day Grace and I watched
Sandra synthesize cDNA from some of our RNA samples. Although the process
was rather long and complicated, Sandra carefully explained each step
and was very helpful in answering any questions we had.
On Tuesday Grace and I followed the same protocol that Sandra had used
to synthesize cDNA from the rest of our samples. It was a good opportunity
to get some hands-on experience, and Sandra stopped in every so often
to check on how we were doing. The next couple of days we watched Sandra
and Wayne label and hybridize the cDNA to the gene chips. Wayne also
showed us what to do with the chips post hybridization, and gave us
a complete tour of the Biotechnology Center, which housed some very
impressive equipment. On the last day Grace and I met with Jean-Yves
Sgro to review basic microarray data analysis. During the initial analysis
it was noticed that one out of the fifteen microarrays was an outlier,
and will need to be redone.
Outside of the lab Grace and I sampled a wide variety of ethnic foods,
including West-African cuisine which I had never tried before. We also
became experts on Wisconsin ice cream and sampled several different
kinds around the city including ice cream that was made at the campus
dairy farm. There was a lot to do in Madison besides dine however. For
example one night we went to a movie that was projected outside near
Lake Mendota at the student union. Another night I went to a friend’s
ultimate frisbee game at one of Madison’s many parks, and on one of
the last nights Grace and I went to a concert given by the Madison orchestra
at the Capitol building. Overall I had a wonderful time in Wisconsin.
Not only did I learn a lot about microarray technology but I also had
the chance to get to know the city of Madison. I definitely think that
the University of Wisconsin at Madison would be a great place to attend
graduate school. I’m truly very thankful to have had such a wonderful
opportunity.
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