Monday, 30th

1. Came up with a weekly meeting schedule (Tuesday, 2-4 p.m.)
2. Discussed the fundamental biological concepts behind the quantum dots
3. Dionne and Allison discussed the background of the iGem competition
4. Also gave an overview of the project's direction

Tuesday, 31st

1. Anthony, Eric and Yuta attended training with Dionne.
2. Learned fundamentals of microbiology
3. Laboratory tour and practical
4. Pipette Skills Test
   • Eric scored 0.996g
   • Yuta scored 0.989g
   • Anthony scored 0.986g

Wednesday, 1st

1. Met and discussed each of the eight individual pages of sketches
2. Decided on the six ideas to present to the class
3. Drew up a preliminary problem statement

Tuesday, 7th

1. Review preliminary ideas presented in last Friday's EID crit
2. Assigned to calculate basic molar concentration/create MSDS
3. Learned to use partsregistry
4. Developed technique in assessing required parts for bacterial plasmid
5. Scheduled this week's training sessions for Friday (will come in pairs)

Friday, 10th

1. Lab safety tutorial
2. DNA introduction
3. Electrophoresis theory/practical
4. Hand washing “test”
   • Anthony passed
   • Stanley passed
   • Yuta failed
   • Eric failed

Tuesday, 14th

1. Reviewed individual research of past iGEM projects on possible group project
2. Learned the basics of bacteria, DNA, and basic transformation protocol
3. Produced a basic timeline for project
4. Scheduled additional training sessions for Wednesday (will come in pairs)

Wednesday, 15th

1. Bacterial transformation theory/practical
2. Reviewed procedure of transforming bacterial DNA

Tuesday, 21st

1. Theory on restriction enzymes
2. Review the basic protocol of using restriction enzymes for bacterial transformation
3. Practical for making the gel for the gel electrophoresis (gel made at different concentrations)
4. Practical for bacterial streaking
5. Plan for re-experimentation of last summer's iGEM team's work-date projected: next Friday
6. Hand washing “test”
   • Anthony passed
   • Stanley passed
   • Yuta passed
   • Eric passed

Tuesday, 28th

1. Plan for experiment on Friday
2. Review and produce protocol to synthesize CdS (QD)
3. Discuss possible modifications to experiment-may conduct some of these on Friday

Friday, 2nd

1. Review and make last minute modification to protocol
2. Confirm calculation for CdCl2 and Na2S⋅9H2O to be measured during the experiment
3. Execute experimental protocol
4. Please check the lab work section for exact procedure and lab photos
5. Go to Lab Work
6. Go to Lab Photos

Wednesday, 14th (pi day)

1. Review past SDS page design
2. Draw rough sketch of our own “homemade” SDS page (based on the given restriction-108x108mm gel)
3. Develop elementary measurements for the SDS page
4. Design a prototype on SolidWorks
5. Create a drawing document on SolidWorks for possible laser cutting
6. Discuss the safety features/electric components of SDS page
7. Redeveloping of design for tomorrow

Thursday, 15th

1. Identify problems with initial Solid Works model
2. Receive advisement for the cap portion and stability issues of SDS page with lab technician
3. Review design with professor/will refine design details

Friday, 16th

1. Refine and finalize the design to SDS page
2. Refine the “glass” to a double pane instead of single
3. Receive approval from professor and laser cutter technician
4. Need the dimensions for the electrodes
5. Will build in the upcoming week or two

Tuesday, 20th

1. Redevelop the problems with the leaking points in design
2. Consider the possibility of switching models for SDS page-concluded would like to improve upon our original design
3. Reestablish goals
4. Look at past/existing models-extract the positive aspects
5. Decide to meet in future with smaller groups (i.e. in pairs) to increase efficiency in work
6. Rebuild the SDS page model for next week

Tuesday, 27th

1. Consider and redefine building two (instead of one) models for the SDS page
2. Develop a schedule for upcoming experiments/lab work
3. Review the basic protocol for the experiment: creating pET28+CDS7 plasmid
4. Experiment will start tomorrow

Wednesday, 28th

1. Conduct Day 1 of experiment
2. Last minute change to one of the plasmid backbone
3. Please check the lab work section for exact procedure
4. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 3)

Thursday, 29th

1. Conduct Day 2 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 4)

Tuesday, 3rd

1. Conduct Day 3 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 5)

Wednesday, 4th

1. Conduct Day 4 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 6)

Thursday, 5th

1. Conduct Day 5 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 7)
4. Also note that this day's experiment was conducted in two parts

Friday, 6th

1. Conduct Day 6 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 8)

Monday, 9th

1. Conduct Day 7 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 9)
4. Add holes for electrodes in SolidWorks assembly of SDS page
5. Define the holes so the hole on case align with hole on the SDS page (vertical gel electrophoresis)

Tuesday, 10th

1. Conduct Day 8 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 10)

Wednesday, 11th

1. Conduct Day 9 of experiment
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 11)
4. Note: Based from previous day's results the later process of experiment may be altered
5. If tomorrow's culture show red, need to consult alternate protocols

Thursday, 12th

1. Observe the bacteria samples and confirm all the streaked samples had red color
2. Conclude that all of the colonies did not have the desired combination of DNA plasmid
3. Discuss possible plans of conducting second method of determining the plasmid combination
4. Discuss with laser cutting technician of preparation of CAD drawing
5. Technician also approved of design
6. Will plan to laser cut tomorrow

Friday, 13th

1. Finalize AutoCAD drawing before laser cutting
2. Instead of creating spaces between parts, place parts close together to save plastic
3. Cut 19/23 parts required for our SDS page model
4. Please check below link to view photographs of the laser cutting
5. Go to Lab Photos
6. Create initial assembly by using tape
7. Will cut the remaining pieces next Monday and plan on gluing

Monday, 16th

1. Laser cut remaining four pieces of SDS page model
2. Create mock assembly with all of the parts using tape
3. Glue all of 23 parts for SDS page at the Materials Science Lab
4. Please consult the below link to view the photographs of the model
5. Go to Lab Photos
6. Will test for leak points in the upcoming days

Friday, 20th

1. Pour water in the two chambers of the SDS page to check for leaking points
2. Determine two potential leaking points on top chamber
3. Tape the leaking points as markers
4. Will let the SDS page dry over the weekend before regluing the leaking spots

Monday, 23rd

1. Conduct Day 10 of experiment, restriction digest (following method 2)
2. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
3. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 12)
4. Glue the weak spots on the SDS page
5. Measure and cut spacers that will be used
6. Place plugs into respective holes
7. Place wire in the top and bottom chambers
8. Will test and run gel electrophoresis in the upcoming day or two

Tuesday, 24th

1. Begin gluing second model of the SDS page
2. Conduct Day 11 of experiment, DNA ligation
3. Please check the lab work section for the exact procedure
4. Go to Lab Work (Note: Start at Day 13)
5. Create 1% agarose gel
6. Reproduce testing conditions for SDS page
7. Instead of two different buffers, use one singe TAE buffer for top and bottom chambers
8. Attempt testing-could not conduct test because gel slipped with the addition of buffer
9. Need to redefine model and research existing models to solve major problem
10. Leaking problem is completely solved

Thursday, 26th

1. Research existing models and look at patents
2. Redefine the existence of porous gel underneath the testing agarose gel
3. For next SolidWorks model will include the following modifications:
   • Include plastic shelving to the sides of chamber for a more stable wiring, thus uniform current
   • Include a mini-chamber underneath to place an agarose gel to prevent slipping of gel

Monday, 30th

1. Laser cut remaining, refinement pieces to SDS page model (bottom stopper-1/4 inch)
2. Create 1% agarose gel
3. Prototype testing - no major leaks (after inserting TAE buffer to both chambers)
4. Gel did not slip
5. Pipette test dye
6. Current goes through - separation apparent (successful test)
7. Please check the lab photographs section for detailed pictures of the prototype test
8. Go to Lab Photos

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