Quantitative Western Blotting

I've been recently introduced to infrared fluorescence Western blotting and the video embedded is helpful to understand the differences between IR fluorescence Western blotting and the conventional chemiluminescence method. I'd have to work more on this method before I can be conclusive on its potential and usage but so far, it seems amazing and more cost-, labour- and time-effective. I discovered more from the video of its other functions which I would like to explore further, if given the opportunity to do so.

Two of my samples from the LICOR Odyssey system for the infrared fluorescence Western blot I did this afternoon. 

Does anyone know why there's a red band below the green band when I only use one IRdye?

The Big Q

Finally, I've arrived to the stage of forming the Big Q for my PhD research! *tears of joy*

MALARIA shall be my journey for the next three years (and whatever that might pop up as this continues).

I have a report deadline in 1.5 hours with the MA to earn the upgrade from "cause for concern" to "fair" on his supervisor report. Scary!!!!

Source: http://www.euvaccine.eu/sites/default/files/uploads/images/diseases/EVI_Pf_cycle_logo_110225.png

Literature Review

In the midst of searching for the light at the end of a dark tunnel, I begin to wonder how to do I wade out of the marshland of "Hows?". I know more reading, and more questioning, might help the process. And I wish for more shortcuts to understand the papers I'm reading as I form that big Q. It seems to me that everybody seems to have a relatively easy time to form the big research Q, minus me. When will I be able to form a proper big Q which is good enough to impress the MA?

Source: http://static2.quoteswave.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/The-big-question-is-whether-you.jpg

Everyone has his own method of literature review. Mine may not be the latest method. This is just what I know and most comfortable with. Let's return to MY way of systematic literature search:

1. I start with the journal which is directly related to my topic of interest.
2. Chronologically, I chose to start from the latest discoveries - some research paper with direct interests which seems pretty similar to my research group's methods of interest.
3. For more comprehensive understanding of the topic, I choose the latest review paper.
4. It is important to take note of the list of references of those papers I am reading.
5. More reading, and note taking.

This is a method I found published on the student support website of UCLan..

Source: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/library/literature_search_tips.php

I'd recommend the use of Mendeley desktop to aid the walk in the forest of references. So far I find using a reference manager very helpful and systematic. Others might have different recommendations.

Toolkit Story

Everyone needs a personalised toolkit in order to achieve their goals.

A surgeon needs his tools and team to ensure his patient can undergo a safe and successful operation under him.

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/Surgeons_at_Work.jpg

An artist needs his brushes and paints and canvases to produce beautiful paintings.

Source: http://columbiametro.com/images/cache/cache_3/cache_d/cache_c/3dc8a408a597b5d093d73c57cc67ea3a.jpeg?ver=1400749198&aspectratio=1.5

A mountaineer needs reliable mountain gears to ensure he arrives at the top of a snowy mountain safely.

Source: http://www.mountainguides.com/photos/gear/backpack-tahoma.jpg

As for me, a PhD probationary kid, I need to achieve part of this network of computational biology.

Source: http://compbio.mit.edu/teaching.jpg

So, the first step is to understand what it is all about, and to find the right tools to start working on it. It seems to me that I am looking more into the area of computational genomics in the sense of biological anthropology these days, so there are a set of tools (packages or whatever one would call that) which I can pack in my imaginary backpack to get me going.

Source: http://www.compbio.cmu.edu/images/background.gif

Will I be able to form a proper research question by the end of my 6 months here? I have another month to ponder about this. While pondering, more packing to be done for the next chapter of my journey...

Source: https://cord-global.terradotta.com/_customtags/ct_Image.cfm?Image_ID=57