Developmental Biology  

Spring, 2007 

Date                        Weekly Topics                                                                             Page

  Jan 23             Cell Signaling in Dictyostelium                                               4-10

 Jan 30             Fertilization - Sea Urchin                                                        11-16                                                          

Feb 6               Microscopic Examination Fertilization and Cleavage             17 

Feb 13             Early Zebrafish Development/Protein Fingerprinting I            18-29 

Feb 20             Protein Fingerprinting II                                                           18-29 

Feb 27             Library Research Due on Presentation Topics                      30 

Mar 6              Early Xenopus Development                                                  31-37 

Mar 20             Microscopic Examination of Heart Development                   38

 Mar 27             In Vitro Chick Heart Development                                           39-44

 Apr 3                Satellite DNA                                                                           45-49 

Apr 10              Cell Surface Glycoproteins and Sponge Reaggeration          50-56 

Apr 17              Heat Shock Proteins and Chromosomal Puffing                   57-62 

Apr 24              Presentations I                                                                        -- 

May 1               Presentations II                                                                       --

                                                                             

                                        Laboratory Notebooks for the Experimental Labs

 All students are expected to keep an accurate record of their observations and experiments during the experimental laboratories. The notebook need not be elaborate, but it should take into account the following important points.  

1.         The most important components of the notebook are things like dates, times, numbers and on-the-spot observations. You will find like most of us that memories provide a singularly bad scientific record.  

2.         Diagrams are very helpful in recording observations; they often save time and writing space. They need not be artistic, often a simple one serves quite well. Be sure to label things - the parts of your drawings and also the different dishes or test tubes that you use in the experiment. Make your drawings large enough to show all the details you can see.  

3.         After the results are recorded sit down and think about them. What conclusions can you draw from them? Write a coherent discussion of your results using correct grammar and spelling. Include a discussion of any "bad results", that is data contrary to that obtained by other students in the lab. This is important because bad results often provide useful information and insights.  

The laboratory notebook is primarily for your own benefit, but it will also be used as the basis of your typed lab reports that explain the results of your labs. If you cannot express your ideas in the written word, how can they be useful to other investigators who want of continue where you left off? Be organized!  

Often the lab exercises will ask you to perform many tasks. There is no time for you to sit in class and read the lab exercises for the first time. You will be expected to have a general flow chart that lists the key activities of that day’s lab. Include what kind of data or observations you are to collect before you come to the lab. Planned experiments work better and more efficiently. Most of all enjoy the lab. This is good stuff!  Share your results and your excitement!  If you see something really neat show your neighbor or instructor.

                                                                          

GENERAL LAB PROCEDURES FOR MOLECULAR LABS 

Reagent Handling 

--          Wear gloves when handling all common reagents. 

--          Restriction enzymes are kept in alphabetical order in a "restriction enzyme" box.  Remove enzymes only when ready to use and place the tube in firmly packed ice.  Replace immediately.  Modifying enzymes are kept in the Stratacooler; when using these enzymes remove the Stratacooler when the enzyme is needed and immediately replace the lid and return to the freezer.  If the Stratacooler becomes covered with frost, it needs to be defrosted to prevent moisture from accumulating around the lips of the tubes.  

--          When attempting to hasten the thawing of a frozen reagent, rub the bottom of the tube between one's fingers; do not roll the entire tube between one's palms as this may contaminate the lip of the tube. 

--          Make a habit out of glancing at the pipette tip prior to inserting it into the enzyme tube to be sure that it is visibly clean.  

--          Frequently check and periodically clean the barrels of the pipette.  They should contain no moisture or dirt. 

--          Never place a pipette man with a used tip (or a "green thing" with a used glass pipette) in a horizontal position; fluid may leak into the barrel.  

--          If a particular reagent/enzyme did not work well, please inform someone.  While it might be attributable to a mistake on your part, it is also possible the enzyme is not working well, and it is a courtesy to inform co-workers of this possibility.    

 

General Lab Cleanliness 

--          Following an experiment nothing should be left lying around the lab. Dirty glassware etc. should be rinsed and placed in the appropriate bin.  Gel boxes and other material that we wash ourselves should be thoroughly rinsed and placed on the sink to dry.  Once dry these items should be returned to the shelf and not left on the sink. 

--          Balances tend to become dirty easily; these should be checked and cleaned following each use. 

--          Periodically take the time to, e.g. clean the sinks, wipe out the incubators, remove extraneous glassware etc.