"Amrita, the electrophoresis isn't working on these two gels. What's wrong?"
"I don't know, we must have filled them improperly! Don't worry I will make sure that you get the right information," Amrita responded in her beautiful lilting Hindi accent.
So, being the science geek that I am I went over to look at the gels in the electrophoresis tanks. Indeed, the stained DNA was not moving along the gel as it was in the other two gels. What could be wrong I thought. So, doing what I usually do, I squatted down to take a look at the problem from eye level. This would make a great riddle, by the way!
Usually, because DNA is an acid and, thereby, negatively charged it responds to electircal stimuli. When seperated and put into a mold that is similar to a sponge and saturated in an ionized solution that has an electrical current running accros it DNA will move at variable rates through the gel (sponge) towards the positive pole. This was happening, as planned, in my gel and one other group's. The other two gels had nothing! no dye movement!
Staring at the gels at eye level allowed me to quickly determine what was wrong. "Amrita", I shouted and then burst into laughter...
When the solid gel is formed, excess water has to evaporate from the solution. On the side of the mold little flairs are created by solute forming to the wall of the mold. Hence meniscus. Have you figured out what's wrong yet?
"Amrita," I shouted, "I know why this gel didn't take any dye!"
"The meniscus is facing down!" The mold had been flipped so the groups had been puncturing the bottom of their gel and then filling a void with the DNA, it all just fell into solution and migrated to the positive pole! It would be like punching a hole into an upside down cup to pour your Crystalite into and then lifting up the cup only to wonder where your Crystalite has gone!
The best part was played by the very attractive young lady who sits opposite me in lab. I emphasize her appearance because she is clearly the most attractive girl in the class ... at least as she knows it. After a discussion with Amrita, who denied that they were upside down and later rescinded but was incredulous that the other TA, who is very experienced, could mess up as she did. I sat down at my lab table and our pretty friend looks me in the face and asks me, deadpan, "What's a meniscus?"
Ok, that was the punchline. If you're not laughing by now, post something and i'll think about taking this post off. If your name is Helen Elliott, spelled with two 't's and two 'l's i am hoping desperately for a post from you since the science is right up your gulf stream!
Posted by Mendon at February 1, 2005 8:06 PMLOL!!! What's a meniscus... wow.
We had the same problem with our gel, but we realized it after inserting only one sample of DNA. Luckily, I had asked my TA to demonstrate syringing to me so she did the first one and I wasn't the one who made the error! Once we had turned the gel over the rest of the samples worked out fine.
Posted by: Hayley at February 2, 2005 1:45 AMAfter a build-up like that, what can I do but fail you?? I'm afraid that my knowledge of deoxyribosenucluicacid is somewhat limited - but the general premise of your observation - the inability of scientists to know what's going on is one that I can empathise with. This is why I am an engineer... if you ever start getting really bored we could swap stories of appalling C++ coding - my latest fun module.
Posted by: Helen at February 2, 2005 8:50 AMYou guys are complete dorks. Is that the secret life of Dornbrooks?
"When a fluid dries, it leaves an attenuated meniscus, especially if it has
a high surface tension. Stupid girl with hooters at 12 o'clock!"
Yay! Skylor! I think you just made my day. I had no idea you were reading our blogs.
Posted by: Mara at February 3, 2005 2:33 AMbtw Skylor, if the Dornbrooks being dorks is a secret it must be the worst kept secret EVER. What's this, 10 years you've been part of the fam'?!
Posted by: mara at February 3, 2005 6:39 AMbtw Skylor, if the Dornbrooks being dorks is a secret it must be the worst kept secret EVER. What's this, 10 years you've been part of the fam'?!
Posted by: mara at February 3, 2005 6:39 AMDorks RULE!
Posted by: Nannie at February 3, 2005 10:21 AMOooh! Oooh! C++ joke!
Why is C++ the friendliest language?
Because it lets friends point to your member! Ha ha ha!
Okay, here's another one, a C++/fundamental particle physics joke:
Why do you have to use C++ to model collapsed pion chiral condensates?
Because only C++ will let you point to a virtual void.
Ha ha ha! Ha ha!
Posted by: Nathan Dornbrook at February 3, 2005 7:04 PMI only get the first one, but just reading the second one is amusing!
Posted by: Rae at February 3, 2005 8:36 PMAlright you C++ers out there. here's the deal! I just discovered that I have risen to a challenge. that would be my school work. i'm taking a heavy enough load to actually make me question whether or not I can do well this semester. it's the first time i've done anything like this in years (with the exception of Gambia which doesn't even relate) and now both my older brother and Helen, again, out do me. I hope that works for you. it just means that rising to your potential is all that more difficult for you.
Posted by: Mendon at February 4, 2005 1:04 AMDorks RULE, and I am obviously not one! Well, I married into the family and have no idea what you are talking about, Nae. They remind me of Danio's Russian jokes or your existential jokes.
Posted by: Nannie at February 4, 2005 8:44 AMDanio's Russian jokes? Are you talking about the "a cow was walking down the road, someone saw a pencil and asked the cow, "is this your pencil?" and the cow said, 'no.'" Along those lines? Those were from Angela (name?) at JTPA - you know, the young woman we worked with from Lakewood? One of her Russsian friends. Man, those jokes were so stupid and pointless that they were hysterical.
Posted by: Mara Fojas at February 5, 2005 7:58 AMThey be the same! But I heard them from Danio. I guess they made the rounds, huh?
Posted by: Nannie at February 5, 2005 4:37 PMOnce upon a time I had a virtual void. Folks just knew it and they didn't have to point at it,er, to it,aaaah..... They just knew it C++? Then I happened to be walking upside down, on my hands you know and POP! My meniscus inverted. So now, even tho' everyone knows I no longer have a virtual void. They just virtually point at it.LOL
and not to be outdone...I am turning off my stove...no risk taking with my, ahem, vvvvoid.
of course, being undone may be what causes an inverted concavity minisculy.
convexly unplugged,
papa
OH! Kristen, this is probably not too far from what i'm going to be like when I'm fifty-six and few bananas shy of an axel. Only, I'll be punnier. I mean, funnier.
anyhow, Pappa, i'm very glad to see that you're at it again! every now and then I check your blog to see if there's anymore but, alas, you've been quiet for a while.
Posted by: Mendon at February 6, 2005 12:30 AMYou mean 36 years from now? You mean that you're not short a few bananas right now? You are phunny. ; ) Keep up that optimistic thinking, and tell your self that I'm "normal" while you're at it as well, Mr. Meniscus. (hehehe) : )
Posted by: Kristen at February 6, 2005 3:20 PMSo now I'm trying to imagine Mendon at 56 and me at um......92 I think....trying not to think now!
Oooh...that's not even pretty. Somewhere the sun is shining brightly. Somewhere, the cows are mooing on the lea. Somewhere the fish are spryly flip-flopping in the moonlight deftly. But nowhere am I 92 or even trying to think about that. Boy this Dove milk chocolate heart tastes great. Bye bye.....