When things don't go as planned...
Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:43 pm
Hi,
Oh no, I'm so dissapointed! It turns out that my plasmid construction was not successful. I do not have any more time to redo it. Could somebody give me tips on how to still let the judges know that I still put a lot of time and effort into my project, ... etc.? (and perhaps console me a bit? hehe ;P) I want to at least get some sort of recognition for my project if possible.
This information might help you help me better:
My research topic was about the effect of intron length on gene expression levels. I artificially altered the length of a gene that was fused to a reporter gene with recombinant DNA methods, and then used that same reporter gene to measure gene expression levels. I used yeast as my model organism. The thing is, I tried to verify my plasmid with agarose gel electrophoresis, and it turned out that my ligation (or something along the way, whatever it might have been) was not successful. So I don't have the altered plasmids at all.
I do have, however, a solid hypothesis based on previous research and correlations I noted myself when I looked at some databases. I also have a pretty decent understanding of the protocols and biological processes-- I know what each reagent does, where we get it from, why we use that one in particular, and what factors might affect the actions of each reagent. ... I feel confident in my background knowledge. I can probably discuss the possible sources of error in my project, etc. as well.
I also want to add that I'm still continuing with the procedure, except with different plasmids (mutant plasmids) ... just so I can see to what extent each mutation affects the expression of the reporter gene. I'm also doing this to get a feel for doing the entire assay. It won't answer the question I originally asked... but I'll at least have a complete picture of how the assay is performed.
I just really don't want to fail completely after all this time and effort. Is it possible that I have any chance at all? Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it!
-M
Oh no, I'm so dissapointed! It turns out that my plasmid construction was not successful. I do not have any more time to redo it. Could somebody give me tips on how to still let the judges know that I still put a lot of time and effort into my project, ... etc.? (and perhaps console me a bit? hehe ;P) I want to at least get some sort of recognition for my project if possible.
This information might help you help me better:
My research topic was about the effect of intron length on gene expression levels. I artificially altered the length of a gene that was fused to a reporter gene with recombinant DNA methods, and then used that same reporter gene to measure gene expression levels. I used yeast as my model organism. The thing is, I tried to verify my plasmid with agarose gel electrophoresis, and it turned out that my ligation (or something along the way, whatever it might have been) was not successful. So I don't have the altered plasmids at all.
I do have, however, a solid hypothesis based on previous research and correlations I noted myself when I looked at some databases. I also have a pretty decent understanding of the protocols and biological processes-- I know what each reagent does, where we get it from, why we use that one in particular, and what factors might affect the actions of each reagent. ... I feel confident in my background knowledge. I can probably discuss the possible sources of error in my project, etc. as well.
I also want to add that I'm still continuing with the procedure, except with different plasmids (mutant plasmids) ... just so I can see to what extent each mutation affects the expression of the reporter gene. I'm also doing this to get a feel for doing the entire assay. It won't answer the question I originally asked... but I'll at least have a complete picture of how the assay is performed.
I just really don't want to fail completely after all this time and effort. Is it possible that I have any chance at all? Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it!
-M