Oas lab aims to find ways to apply concepts of physical chemistry to biological functions usually involving basic thermodynamics & kinetics. Some biological functions that Oas lab focuses on are protein folding, protein translocation, bacterial infection, ribonucleoprotein assembly and cellular signaling. These past 3 weeks were very unique experiences in which for undergraduates such as myself, are in what is essentially a training program to prepare us for future labs within Oas lab or for other labs.
In Dr.Oas’ lab, I am researching the changes and the differences in fluorescence within a fluorophore called DFBHI when binded to different combinations of configurations of spinach RNA and a nucleotide called cyclic-di-Guanine-Mono-Phosphate (c-di-GMP). I am working with a graduate student named Kyle Daniels, who is working on the same project as I, and is training me for performing operations within the lab, and on physical chemistry as a whole. I am also learning different techniques within the lab within data analysis and “bench work” or the process of collecting data.
I am very excited for the next upcoming weeks where I get to do some more benchwork and take advantage of any opportunity to learn more about research and its underlying components as I continue my lab training!
