Stuff Im Learning

Last week I was not in the Lab due to some health issues. In the mean time I have done extensive reading in Biological Science. I have learned a lot about Gene Function and Control, Technology and Ethical Issues.

The way that DNA is packed is one of the most beautifully pleasing concepts I have ever encountered. It is beautiful because of it’s wonderfully genius design and its mysterious nature. DNA in a Chromosome (Greek for Colored Body) has five successive levels of organization. Each level increases in complexity.

Levels of Complexity

1.) Double helix of connected complementary base pares of DNA.
2.) Helix of the DNA double helix. The DNA raps around eight Histon protein molecules and forms a series of beads called Nucleosomes.
3.) The Nucleosome helix forms its self into another helix called a Chromatin Fiber.
4.) Once again another helix is formed as the Chromatin Fiber further coils into a Super Coil!
5.) The last leval (that I am aware of) is the Chromosome. The Super Coil wraps itself up in an unintelligibly complex way… (note the shape of the Chromosome itself)

Respose to Dana

I have had many extraordinary intellectual gains from this summer research experience so far this summer. I have received a crash course in biological theory, learned details about the levels of degrees in academia, professorship, laboratory protocols, and real world applicable concepts in the fields of politics, economics, psychology and philosophy. The two most significant intellectual advancements that I have had this summer is my understanding of Genetics and libratory procedures. I never knew what genetics were and now I have many tools in my mind, fostering my understanding of it. The introduction to the science of genetics has influenced my understanding of the world and will, without a doubt, change the course of my life. The laboratory protocols I have learned have reshaped my ideas about my work life. Most of my friends have never even thought about doing lab work for a living and never saw myself working in a scientific lab either. I have really enjoyed doing laboratory work and envision myself doing more for a living in the future.

Judging from my experiences, Stellos is my primary mentor in this summer research experience. He meets with me weekly to answer any questions I have about genetics. I like my professor and have created a friends ship with him. I have been impressed with the amount of time and energy he puts into our discussions. I think it is his pleaser to give something back to the world by educating me.

I have other people that have been educating me along side Stellos as well and these people deserve some attention. Two Ph.D students, Renea and Ed, have taught me lab protocols and genetic theory. Some of the Lab procedures I have been working with are PCR (Preliminary Chain Reactions), laying and labeling plates, data entry, and Electrophoresis. These lab Tecniques are valuable tools. Consequently, these tools make me a valuable laboratory technician and I am indepted to Renea and Ed for sharing their knowledge.

If I could change one thing about my experience it would be the amount of time that I am able to spend at the lab. I have not been putting the time that I would like into the lab work that I want. I am juggling five doctors on top of everything. This translates to a lot of study, communication time, and appointments. I wish I had my medical condition under control before the research experience started.

If I could keep one thing in the world it would be my relationship with Dr.Stellos. I simply enjoy his company. I will miss not working with him and I have enjoyed getting to know him.

If I was to advise community college students about their future URE I would tell them to study biology, chemistry and get Lab experience if at all possible. These things are not necessary they would just help the student understand what is going on around them.

I will add more detail when I have a little more time this week end.

My Days

Yesterday I was in Sue Erickson’s Lab. I washed a lot of dishes and also did some data entry. After I worked in her lab I had lunch which was more than satisfactory. I was really hungry! I then went to the USDA laboratory and helped them with their complex production line. I was one of five in that lab and we all had our own specific jobs. All together we worked as a unified whole. It was fun. I mixed media n flasks and prepped them for their next step.

Today I had a productive day. I really enjoyed it. The day started of slow. I read a chapter in my introductory biology book and then went to lunch. After this, when I came back to the lab a Ph.D student taught me a bunch of stuff. I learned how to do electrophoresis and how to make Agar and lay plates. I also had an interesting conversation about the transcription and translation process that ribonucleic acids undergo. Stellos gave me a good, simplistic and fascinating description of the processes. When I read the book I was a little lost but when my Professor explained them to me they made much more séance. I guess it can be really difficult to learn about some things exclusively by reading about them. It helps to have a mentor who knows about the phenomena that you are reading about and who can give you further illumination on the subject!!!! I had a good day today.

Field Work

Today I worked for eleven hours. It was a long day and when I finally got home I passed out for two hours. Never the less I had a great time today. We went into the fields to gather together soil samples. I learned how to use a core soil sampler. The contraption was a pain in the neck. The sampler looked like a pogo stick. You were to put it in the soil and pull t up. By doing this a hollow space in the metal rod would fill with earth. The problem was that the soil would stick in the space and it was hard to remove. I came up with a method that made my efforts a little easier. We were supposed to take the sample and shake it into the bag. I would take the sample and run my finger down the opening, quickly depositing the contents into the bag. I found this way more effective then “shaking it” into the bag.

I want to add that I like ALL the people I am working with! T is great to work with a bunch of smart amiable people all day. We have some great conversation. Way better than working at Wal-Mart!!!

Philosophy

Yesterday on 6-25-08 I went with two professors to a farm near Mars Hill. I had a great time and I am pleased to report that I am making friends with Dr.Stellos T. We drove for two hours up, then two hours back and the whole time the professors were discussing Science and philosophy with me. I was in heaven. We talked in particular about the genetic code and the intricacies of how it worked. One thing I find fascinating about the genetic code is how it is described as a language and alphabet. That is to say, it is compared to written and spoken language. This is to say that somehow the objects in the genes-atoms which are arranged into molecules-talk, interpret, and express themselves. For me this sounds like saying that a mundane object has consciousness and intelligence. It is like saying that a coffee cup is alive at some level. A coffee cup is made up of the same atomic substance as DNA. I am curious how a language like English is similar to the genetic language of DNA. How do the words in English carry meaning and find expression and, even more fascinating, how does DNA hold meaning and express its self? I asked professor Stellos this same question and his answer was remarkably fascinating. He told me that there are levels of reality, connected to biology, that are not talked about in biological text books. He said that the universe is intelligent and that there are energetic realities connected to DNA that Science has only just begun to think about! It is all extremely exhilarating!

Ageometretos medeis eisito

Aγεωμέτρητος μηδεὶς εἰσίτω

Ageōmetrētos mēdeis eisitō.

"Let no-one without knowledge of geometry enter". Motto over the entrance to Plato's Academy (quoted in Elias' commentary on Aristotle's Categories).

Hey

I enjoy looking in to the roots of the various worlds like Religion, Art, Government, Business and medicine. We are being further initiated into the powerful universe of Academia by becoming academic researchers. I thought it fitting to do some research into Academia and would like to share my findings.

Here is a definition I found in my Webster Dictionary for Academic, “1. Pertaining to an Academy esp. relating to a University. 2. Pedantic, too much occupied with the rules of an Academy or University; hence unpractical: academic manner; academic discussion; purely theoretical, having no practical result. 3. Frigid, inhuman (of men and manners).

I think this is kind of a hard definition but I wonder if it has some merit?! I saw that the definition for Academic mentioned the word Academy so I looked up the definition of that word as well.

“1. a. The garden near Athens where Plato taught; b. the followers of Plato; the school or system of philosophy founded by Plato. 2. A chartered corporation of scholars, artists, men of letters, men of sciences.

So, how I see it at least, Academia is to Plato what Christianity is to Jesus. I wonder what Plato was all about. By figuring this out I think we may be able to better understand the Ethos of the Academic world.

I also did a little research into the etymology of the term as well.

1474, from L. academia, from Gk. Akademeia "grove of Akademos," a legendary Athenian of the Trojan War tales (his name apparently means "of a silent district"), whose estate, six stadia from Athens, was the enclosure where Plato taught his school. Sense broadened 16c. into any school or training place. Poetic form Academe first attested 1588 in sense of "academy;" 1849 with meaning "the world of universities and scholarship," from phrase the groves of Academe, translating Horace's silvas Academi; in this sense, Academia is recorded from 1956. Academic "relating to an academy" first recorded 1586; sense of "not leading to a decision" (like university debates or classroom legal exercises) is from 1886. Academy awards (1941) so called for their distributor, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

I want to wish everyone luck as we each set out in our new and exiting experiences.

Hello