Team:Cambridge/Experiments/Squid Dissection and Tissue Sample
From 2011.igem.org
Obtaining DNA coding for reflectin proteins was the vital first step in our project. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loligo Loligo] tissue was sourced from fishing bait suppliers and culinary wholesalers in order to attempt genomic DNA extraction. From our literature search we discovered that the reflectin gene from E. scolopes contains no introns, so genomic DNA should be suitable for expression in E. coli.
Squid Dissection and Tissue Samples
Specimens of what we identified as [http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3718 Loligo vulgaris] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opalescent_Inshore_Squid Loligo opalescens] were dissected for examination. Samples of skin tissue and eye cups were taken from L. vulgaris for further imaging. No obvious iridescence was seen in the skin sample under a dissection microscope or by confocal microscopy. In accordance with Holt et al, we found clearly visible iridescence in the tissue surrounding the eye lens.