Introduction to Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

I need to write a 5-page proposal today, so I'm getting myself acclimated by doing some free writing here.

An explanation - I'm switching department and supervisor for the rest of my PhD. A difficult decision to make after spending (almost with futile effort) almost 10 months in BioAnth. It's not that I hate human evolutionary genetics, but it's not my cup of tea. So, upon discussion with various people, especially with my current supervisor and college graduate tutor, I embarked on the search for a new project, new supervisor, new department... Hard to bid goodbye, but it's better for everyone, especially for myself. I've nothing to lose in the first place, except some loss of time, but it's for the better.

If the official approval is granted, then I will be joining Professor Howard Griffiths' lab to work on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii together with an awesome team to eventually contribute to the CAPP (Combining Algal and Plant Photosynthesis) project.

An brief introduction of this species which we work on - the Chlamy:

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Chlamydomonas_TEM_04.jpg

If you could see the area which is densest in the TEM photo, that's our group's interest. The pyrenoid story. There are various aspects which we are looking into, but for now, it shall be a suspense, as it's time for me to run back to the proposal.

Yes, I'm a happier me after the 10 months of struggles, though I'd have tonnes of work to be completed in lesser time than others. Yet, I am still happy and glad. I am thankful to God for answering my prayers and to St. Jude for interceding for me. Miracles do happen, if we also work in tandem with Him.