Team:Columbia-Cooper/Notebook

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Lab Notebook

August 10

Today the attached procedure outlined for synthesizing quantum dots biologically was followed for each of the bacteria cultures made on August 8. However, when samples were prepared using this protocol, certain variables were left out. This decision made these samples into controls. As such, they were used to determine whether quantum dots had actually been synthesized last week.

Notice, in the list of samples prepared below certain samples were made excluding one of the following variables: cadmium chloride solution, sodium sulfide or bacteria.

  1. DH5alpha, Cadmium Chloride and Sodium Sulfide
  2. CDS7, Cadmium Chloride and Sodium Sulfide
  3. 127, Cadmium Chloride and Sodium Sulfide
  4. CDS7 and Sodium Sulfide
  5. CDS7 and Cadmium Chloride
  6. Cadmium Chloride and Sodium Sulfide

It was unclear whether quantum dots had been synthesized because each supernatant of each controls fluoresced. It was found that LB broth is fluorescent. Because LB has this quality and is present in all of our samples, the presence of quantum dots can not be confirmed using fluorescent spectrometry at this time. The quantum dots supposedly produced last week may not be present and the fluorescence of the sample attributable to the LB broth alone.

August 8

Today was used in preparation for experiments planned for the following days.

In order to verify the production of quantum dots accomplished last week, bacteria containing the following parts were cultured separately:

  1. CDS7
  2. Rel Light Promoter and GFP (labeled as 127, the last three digits of its part identification number)
  3. DH5alpha

These bacteria were cultured in LB prepared today. 720 ml of LB was made all total.

August 2

The procedure for August 1 was repeated, but less reliable results were obtained.

August 1

Task 1: Today we developed a protocol to be completed tomorrow outlining the procedure to synthesize quantum dots. The protocol was adopted from the journal article "Biosynthesis and Characterization of CdS Quantum Dots in Genetically Engineered E. Coli."

Note, instead of using the pET - 28b vector, which requires IPTG as a promoter, our protocol calls for pMA vector, requiring no promoter.

The CdCl2 and Na2S[9H2O] solutions necessary for our protocol were prepared today.

Task 2: The procedure completed last Thursday, July 28, will be repeated tomorrow, Aug 2. Today, the bacteria containing the following parts were inoculated.

  1. pUC19
  2. pUC19
  3. GFP and arabinose
  4. GFP alone
  5. BL alone
  6. BL with GFP
  7. BL with GFP
  8. CD7