Immunogold Labelling

Today I've got some peace by chilling at the imaging centre to run some immunogold labelling (IgL). My samples had been fixed in epoxy resin (I'll show you guys some pics in action when I'm running it next week). For now, I'm using older ones, mounted on nickel grids. I'm using a modified protocol from Skepper (2000), J. Microscopy 199, 1-36. (I'll link it later)

I'm having research fun and I think research should be fun. Science is mind blowing and fun. Unfortunately some people have very distorted and disillusioned vision of what "fun" and professionalism in science means.

Right now I'm battling a birdman who wants to kick me out because he's totally disapproving my idea of fun in science. Calling me unprofessional, unproductive and unknowledgeable is low if not bitchy. Telling untruths and causing me this much of troubles at this point only caused me to find him disgusting, and crazy. Stalking me under the disguise of taking my attendance without me knowing is mental harassment.

Maybe some would think that I'm wasting my time battling against a silent but dangerous birdman but if I don't fight until the last drop of my blood runs dry, I'd do myself the biggest harm. As much as I'd like to live in peace to do a PhD, the evil birdman thinks he can show me the door easily. Making my research life difficult is only making the birdman's life worse. I'm a resilient wild grass. Have always been that way.

The birdman said he'd not help with carrying of gas cylinders for me from now on. I'm perfectly happy that he refuses to help me, though I'm totally pissed with his unprofessional and childish behaviour. Thanks to this behaviour I have more conviction that I should fight till the end.

St. Paul mentioned about him running his race till the end. I need to put up a good fight too. If not, I'll be disappointing myself in the end.

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?

Festival of Plants 2015

Yet another of my free writing :)

I went to the Festival of Plants in Cambridge University Botanic Garden last Saturday. A nice sunny day to be out there among the beautiful spring plants. Our first stop was the canopy where there were stalls with interactive games and explanations provided by volunteers of Festival of Plants. One thing which attracted me was the booth on algae and biofuel. I work with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, one of the few algae studied widely on its ability to produce biofuel, and I do like the idea of this animal-like single-cell lower plant being such a useful tool to study various aspects. We created a furry cartoonish ChlamyBaby (look below). There are some other activities which I didn't stay long enough to gather info. However, it seemed to me that people were enjoying themselves. We passed by the glasshouse and there was an interactive concert going on. Nice vocal for sure!

There were tours around the gardens, according to my friend, it was very beneficial as the guide told the stories of many of the trees around the garden. There was a talk tent where various talks were conducted. Apparently they were good too.

ChlamyBaby wading on the grass

I managed to capture a few nice shots - thanks to the lovely afternoon sun!

Moor hen feeding her chick

Colourful tulips

Peony?

Iris

I had a great time that afternoon. Discovered it was my friend's birthday, which was nice. Since the weather was great! :)

Scientific Walk in Romantic Sintra

I went away last weekend to refocus and refresh before this hectic season. I'm in the process of writing my first year report, but at this moment, I am kinda frozen in time and space. So, as what the trainer of the Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) suggested, I begin a short piece of free writing on some random topic.

Finally, I was in Sintra. After pondering for a few nights on which part of Sintra I should do and how much I was willing to spend, I've decided on Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle) and Parque e Palacio Nacional da Pena (Pena National Palace and Park).

View of Palacio Nacional da Pena from Castelo Dos Mouros at the spot where King Ferdinand II loved as he found it an inspiration for his romantic ideals.

My favourite picture of the Castelo

It was an amazing journey and I did take many excellent shots of the breathtaking views, and plants! I never thought I'd end up in the Dept of Plant Sciences, but since I'm already in it, I should make the best out of it. I may be a ChlamyScientist working on molecular biology/physiology of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, but my colleagues are great physiologists/ecologists. I'm beginning to see beyond the green and to see each plant as a different species. It will take time, but I hope I can make my way closer to them greenies.

Navelwort I think... also in Parque Nacional da Pena

Sedum sp. in Parque Nacional da Pena

Fascicularia bicolor, a Bromeliad in Castelo Dos Mouros

Failed Experiments are Norms!

I guess I can't help it. For two weeks I've been struggling with the no-results syndrome. It's TOTALLY NORMAL! Yes, I know, and all I need to do is to exhaust all possibilities before I will bow down to the word "defeated". I know many of my fellow scientist readers would feel me, and mentally support me through this "darkness". At least, I'm still doing work. That's something to rejoice for. It's JUST PCR. What wrong can it go, right? Well, it's just probably 101 things which can go wrong in a simple tiny tube with 20 microlitre of PCR reagents. *Laugh ironically*

When I'm in despair, I am automatically brought to reminder of this particular bible verse (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Nope, I shan't be crushed, I shan't be in despair, I shan't be abandoned, I shan't be destroyed.

I will come out stronger than ever, because every single moment of failure helps to bulk up the "what not to be done" Pandora box. I was to the point of giving up by telling myself that if it were not meant to be, then it would be okay to give up, but God didn't give up on my intention of completing this PhD. Second chance is received. And so, this is not the time to mope for too long. I'll just whine for another few more seconds and then continue the second part of my day.

Exciting times ahead in June: First year report which will enable my upgrade to proper PhD candidate is due in about two weeks' time (Sorry, not even there yet when it comes to first year report! *sad face*). Then it's the season of viva voce to defend my research and to prove my worth (as much as I don't like to use this as a benchmark of who I am and the potential that I have). And yes, Erasmus+ Students and Alumni Association (ESAA) Kickoff Event in Brussels.

Fingers crossed I'll be ready for the adrenaline-pumping June. I just want to live my life to the fullest, because I only live once, and this God-gifted life I have is not exactly mine but His, given to me freely so that I may live a life of grace and joy.

Now, who says great scientists can't be great believers? I am not a great scientist, nor a great believer. I'm just a trying scientist and a trying believer. If Albert Einstein and Gregory Mendel were great scientists and great lovers of God's own heart, then I can.

Me no want to live a life with excuses, justifying things I did wrong and in regrets all the time.

New Toy: Lenovo Miix 10

This is the first time I used a Windows 8 tablet. Though it was an Amazon Warehouse deal, but to me it is still a new toy nevertheless. In fact, this time round, as much as it is a toy gadget, but I'm justifying its usage as an option to have a "work holiday" when I want to travel, yet still be able to work intermittently. It does help when I draw strength from seeing new stuffs outside Cambridge and then form some new ideas for my experiments.

Enough with the justifications, now back to the toy itself. I spent about £150 on this warehouse deal for a "Used-Very Good" Miix 10 Windows 8 tablet. It comes with original Windows 8, and Microsoft Office 2013 Student package, which helps a lot since I am using a Windows 8.1 laptop with Office 2007. I wanted to install Office 2013, but the product key only allowed ONE single installation *sad face* but I already have Office 2007 so it's pretty much the same.

Let's talk about the operating system (OS). When I purchased my laptop, it was on Windows 8. I wonder how many times I complained about how unfriendly it was. The signature Start button of all previous Windows (95, NT, XP, 7, Vista...) was removed, and I couldn't find my way around for the first few weeks. I sorta got used to it but I didn't like it at all. When Microsoft introduced its update to Windows 8.1, I freely embraced it. The signature Start was back!!! My days from that point forward were great, and are still happy with it. Now, Miix 10 is the first generation to Lenovo's 10.1" Windows tablet, and yes, it is no longer selling on Lenovo's website. Hence, I know it would come with Windows 8. Oh my horror! Then again, I could update it to Windows 8.1 so I didn't worry too much about it.

Though it was mentioned that the hard disk of Miix 10 is 64 GB, the space available was only about 45GB. I got over-excited when I received the tablet, so I started installing my usual need - Mendeley reference manager. Programs eat up disk space like a hungry PacMan. So when I finished with the necessary updates of Windows 8 to enable the upgrade to 8.1, the HDD didn't have enough. Well, finally after numerous uninstallation of unwanted apps,  I finally managed to upgrade to Windows 8.1.  It was as though life returns to the tablet finally.

Other pros and cons of a brand new Miix 10 which I found on the usual tablet review websites - I do agree. So I won't comment much on those aspects, since they'd know better than I do. I would comment on the basis of my current profession as a PhD student in the process of writing up the first year report to be upgraded to a PhD candidate. Since I am writing a lot, so Office 2013 (as I mentioned previously) is an additional bonus so one point for Miix 10. However, the annoying part that the virtual keyboard still pops up though it is docked to the external keyboard will be something I need to address and consider in future.

I'll share the part II of my encounter with this tablet and a possible decision of whether I will be keeping it in the next two weeks or so. My short trip to Lisbon will be an ultimate test for Miix 10 if it is suitable for my use.

Time to return to reality and work on my project. Till then....

Keep Calm and Start Writing!

How apt is this "keep calm" phrase!

Some of my friends have begun writing their theses, some had completed and submitted. As for me, I am just starting my PhD journey (finally!) when I joined this lab (Physiological Ecological Group). Looking at how four months flew off like lightning, I should begin writing the first year report soon since the deadline is on 1st June.

The reluctant mind and body says, "There is still time. Chillax!" But both know better that it is only a lie. One thing would lead to another, and there are thousands, if not millions of papers I need to wade through in order to seek for the knowledge. I have yet to start writing the ONE word needed for me to begin.

It's time to think. It's time to start writing. I shall.. Within this week. Now, I shall give my pair of fatigues eyes a rest. Ciao!