July 2009
5 posts
“My telomeres just got shorter.”
– Ryan Quan
In other words, we’re getting older. Jacinto, Ryan, and I are just really really nerdy sometimes. Thank you, iGEM…
"National Holiday"
This whole July 3rd national holiday thing has been a topic of conversation recently. Popular opinion concludes July 3rd is not a national holiday.
Since the shuttles aren’t running today, the team has the day off. But the lab should know better by now; someone will come in. Finally, I get to decide when my day begins. And so, I slept in and started work at one. It was just Edna, Ethan,...
WatchThis is what I come home to.
Independence Day?
Ryan and I fly solo today. We’re doing yet another transwell assay, but on our own this time around. But before the tissue culture room party begins, we picked up clones from our plates from yesterday’s transformations. Then labcoat. Gloves. Go. We grab some twelve-well plates and begin. A few minutes of preparation-hesitation passed before we finally picked up the pace. We knew what...
Half&Half
All the newsworthy events that occurred throughout the day summed up to be half good, half bad. And the term ‘newsworthy’ is quite appropriate. Good news first. Today, ABC filmed a piece on the iGem program. From what it seemed, they got a lot of footage. It was a privilege to be interviewed, though I didn’t feel like I full represented. I wish my answers were more effective, but...
June 2009
14 posts
Today is the first official day of wetlab. However, Team HL-60 spent the first few hours of the day discussing a paper. Journal club continues. After that, we enjoyed free lunch from the ex-Cell Propulsion Lab presentation/ meeting. Then Ryan and I jetted back to the lab, in hopes of getting our hands on a pipette or some other lab utensil. Since Aynur, Ryan, and I are responsible for the GPCR...
Team HL-60!
Friday marks the end of two weeks into UCSF iGem, 2009. Even today, the last day of bootcamp, I learn an immense amount of information related to chemotaxis. My brain does feel heavier, and I am more psyched for Jamboree than ever! Though I must admit, I’m pretty exhausted…
The morning started off with a text from Ryan, saying he was running a bit late. What a relief, seeing that I...
WatchRy-lye was looking through videos during lunch [as always], and came across this mash-up on todaysbigthing.com. This was June 11th’s big thing, and I found it to be pretty freakin’ impressive. Thought I’d share it with my fellow teammates, even though some of you have seen it already [BOO!]. Happy Friday!
Brake-cellerator?
Today is the day it all comes together. They gave us presentations and readings of plenty. Now it was our turn to present by making use of our knowledge to further develop ideas from the “master list.”
We came. We presented. We conquered. I hope. I thought we did a pretty swell job, and I really liked our ideas for a brake and/or accelerator. I believe Aynur and Oliver were happy with...
WatchThis is what MOST of our team looks like.
Where? Lim Lab lunch room. When? 2:30 PM? What? Ice Cream Party! Who? GAAANNNGSTERS.
The results just prior to the party…
And then we ran some gels!
TEAM CHALLENGE, all day today. I felt terrible for...
“You went full retard, man. Never go full retard.”
– Kirk Lazarus, Tropic Thunder
This comedic film was the topic of lunch conversation today. Definitely one of my all-time favorite movies. David, Iowa, and Saber were really into it. But who wouldn’t be? The movie is hilarious. I hope we execute plans to watch it as a team. I have. On laptop....
WatchMEEEEENIEZ!
That's a Rap
Though I decided to take Jacinto’s brain power for labwork-advancement purposes, I think Oliver’s ability to interact with and teach students is a pretty envied “superpower”. Iowa’s sense of humor is tempting, as well. But I think a lot of people who attended the meeting this morning possess enviable traits. Better watch your back in the Lim Lab. Of course I’m...
WatchI bring to you “Lunchtime with Ryan and Jacinto” :] Ryan workin’ that keyboard!
We started getting into the 2008 iGem Jamboree...
week one: iGEM has begun!
Monday, Monday, Monday
Nervous + excited = anxious. Walking through Genentech Hall one again, I was anxious: nervous about seeing old and new faces, excited about experiencing iGem a second time around. I will no longer be one of the high school team members. This year, my position on the UCSF team requires some leadership. Yikes! My first day back, and I was greeted by a warm welcome from...