Hello all, my name is Dylan Harris and I come from a small charter school known as BASIS Scottsdale. As a senior from said school, I have the opportunity to participate in a project of my choice intuitively called the Senior Research Project, or SRP for short. The SRP itself will last 10 weeks, of which, I will be performing my own research on a topic of my choice.
For my SRP (if the title was not a complete tip-off) is about trying to get E. Coli bacteria to produce thermostable DNA polymerase, taq polymerase, in order to lower the cost of taq polymerase in laboratories, which can be quite expensive. Taq polymerase is used in a process known as PCR, polymerase chain reaction, which in turn is used for DNA replication outside a cell. Many
laboratories use this technique to obtain mass quantities of the same DNA which can be used for many different experiments and tests. As for why I chose to research, I have always been fascinated by DNA and how we can modify organisms to perform different roles. Microbiology has so many facets that can still be researched, and with this project, I'll finally be able to pursue a field I am interested in.
The research itself will take place on the University of Arizona Medical Campus in Dr. Kurt Gustin's laboratory. I cannot wait to begin working in a lab doing research, and hopefully, I will create something others can use.
For a more detailed overview of my project, take a look at my proposal right here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nLAwTxcFwbG6Px63K9rr86VLhvv_5z2KPRSWqH1X2_Y/edit?usp=sharing
I hope you will continue to follow my exploits, and hopefully all will go as planned!
Given how many labs use PCR, this project could have a really amazing impact. I'm excited to see where it goes!
ReplyDeleteWhat do labs do with the produced DNA after PCR? This sounds like a really cool project with a wide scope, and I can't wait to see how it goes!
ReplyDeleteThe DNA from PCR can be used for a large variety of things. In the medical field, it allows for a patients DNA to be copied, so genetic testing can be done readily. Even CSI use it to clone more DNA from samples they collect. Anything that involves DNA will usually involve PCR.
DeleteHi Dylan,
ReplyDeleteI will try my best to follow and understand the science, but will also be interested in your thoughts on working in a real lab etc.
Good luck!
Mr. Bloom
Has this topic been researched much yet, or are you participating in the early stages of research for a more cost-effective means of DNA copying? Are these different experiments and tests seen as controversial, as the idea of cloning DNA is not a popular one for many people? This is a very interesting project and I am looking forward to following your progress over the next three months.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of getting bacteria to produce taq poly has existed for a few years now. Some labs are already using it, but more research can still be done with it. I'm sure many people are fine with something like this as it is not able to affect people overtly, like if it were in food or something along those lines.
DeleteSounds like a practical idea! Hope you are successful. Do you know people in Tuscon that you are staying with or are you on your own?
ReplyDeleteI'm actually not going to Tuscon for this. I'm going to the U of A medical campus which is located in downtown Phoenix.
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