DAY 689-694

July 22-27

1) These past few days have been a mad dash for me, as I try my level best to finish up the remaining experiments in both the chemistry and biology labs. As (I think) I mentioned earlier, the MTT Assay results for the two compounds that I synthesised were not good, so I will be redoing the same experiment again, using a different cell line. On Wednesday night, I was in the biology lab carrying out serial dilution of my compounds and adding them to the 12X8 wells. It really is a quite tedious process, especially if you are not adept at pipetting (that's me XD).

2) This morning, for the first time I presented a PowerPoint presentation for the morning seminar. I talked about my research project which I did last year, under my Principal Investigator Dr. Darren Griffith. It was a short presentation, after which the floor was open to any questions. Professor Long (who is present for all these seminars) then asked me many questions regarding my project, at one point also asking me to introduce myself. Talking about the project made me feel all nostalgic, as I remembered the long hours I put in for those two months. It was an interesting session, but there would be more to come...

3) In the afternoon, it was time for the Work Report - a "big" seminar where everyone gives an update on their work progress for the past two weeks. I was obliged to give mine as well, seeing as this would be the last Work Report seminar I would be attending. So I gave a long talk about my research project, on the design and synthesis of specific protein degraders. I received a warm response from the Professor, and that was instant relief and joy for me.

4) In the evening, all my lab mates and I went to take pictures at various scenic points in the campus, as they were planning to make a photo album for me to take home. It was a pleasant surprise when Prof. Long suggested that, and I was very touched at how supportive my friends were in coming and taking loads of pictures together with me. We took photos in front of the lab, the library, the gate, and the old campus gate replica. Fast forward the next evening, and everyone went to the area around Dushu Lake, where we got a fantastic view of the sunset. We took many pictures as you can expect, till everywhere was dark and I had to return to continue my experiments.

5) So on Friday night, I was preoccupied with two tests in the Biology lab - the re-test of the MTT Assay for my two compounds, and the adding of primary antibodies to my proteins for my Western Blot test. The latter requires more steps tomorrow actually, including the addition of the secondary antibodies that bind to the primary ones. Too bad I won't be here in tomorrow, as I'll be travelling to Shanghai with my friends. So on that high note, I think I will end my blog update here. It's been a while since I last published, so I hope you enjoyed reading about the updates. Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a nice weekend ahead. Cheers! :D

Beautiful group pic in front of the Binglin Library (苏大独墅湖校区炳麟图书馆)

Right in front of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Building :)

Another one, cuz why not XD

And one more for the record...

Casually posing at the campus entrance :D

With Dr. Hu, post-doctoral researcher in the Medicinal Chemical Biology Lab

With Kong Jiao and Han Yuqing

From l-r: Feng Shun, Zhou Jujun, Yours truly, Chris, Zhou Tan, Dr. Hu

V for Victory! XD

The replica of the gate in the main (old) campus, complete with motto and flag

Tried the food in Cafeteria No. 1 for a change

Candid group photo at dinnertime :)

Very touched and grateful to receive this water bottle and a T-shirt as a parting gift from Prof. Long and co. <3 <3 <3

Presenting these couple of slides again made me remember the good days I spent last year doing research for the first time :')

It was pouring cats and dogs in the afternoon, so Chris recommended I order takeout, and he recommended this dish

(滷肉饭) "Lu rou fan" - one of the most beloved Taiwanese comfort foods ever. Just like the famous red braised pork belly (红烧肉) in mainland China, "braised pork belly with rice" is essentially one of the most popular comfort foods in Taiwan, originating from either Taiwan or Shandong, China (depending on who you ask haha)...

And that's the dish! The pic doesn't do it justice at all, as the meat (top left corner) is way too dark in this photograph, and so is the slightly tangy seaweed soup (left). Absolutely delicious is my verdict! ^^

DAY 666

June 29

1) Today we've been ever so busy in the labs. It's the first time I've gone for lunch and dinner with my new lab friends (in the biology lab), and it is a great opportunity to get to know everyone better. One thing I really appreciate is how patient everyone is with me, especially when trying to explain difficult scientific concepts. Even if it were in English it would still take me time to digest, yet they will search all available resources (i.e. their translation app) to translate the terms from Mandarin.

2) After getting to know everyone better, I'm surprised to learn that many of them are not just postgraduate students - they are actually working professionals. Doctors in fact! One of them has been working for 10 years while the other a staggering 15! Personally, after a decade of working I would probably not go for pursuing higher education, rather I would focus on improving my career prospects in whatever I'm doing. Perhaps this is what they are doing; I've got to ask them soon! Everyone has a different reason for joining the lab, and yet we are all here doing pretty much the same thing haha.

3) One thing that has also caught my attention is that everyone specialises at what they do. They may need to know how to manipulate different machines and use different analytical techniques, but there is a set number of those and once they perfect them then it is only a matter of repetition and getting really really good at it. I've seen this is both the Medicinal Chemical Biology Lab and the Molecular Cancer Research Lab. All of them are really fast and efficient at what they do, but after a while I'm noticing they repeat the same techniques. I can only hope that some day I will have the mastery over my chosen field of medicine...

4) The rest of the day has been mostly the same - trying my hand out at new experiments in the lab, and working till late evening before walking back home. That is the gist of my day, and hopefully you enjoyed reading about it. Thanks very much for visiting, and have a great weekend. Cheers! :D

Group pic with everyone from Prof. Zhang's Biology Laboratory (3F)

My first try of "xiang guo" (香锅) or stir-fry hotpot

(Add rice for no extra charge yeay :))

It is really good :^)

Analysis of results from Fluoroskan Ascent machine

As you can see from the pics below, the chef is literally stretching the dough (to make the noodles) by hand. It is really exciting to watch him at his work :)

It's almost as if he knows I'm taking a pic of him XD

And voila! The finished product :))

DAY 664 & 665

June 27 & 28

1) The past two days have been basically repetition of the experiments in the chemistry lab. After speaking to Prof. Long after the morning seminar, she wanted me to experience the whole story of the research that I'm involved in. Essentially, it's about creating a compound that is effective against cancer cells. After synthesising each compound in a multistep reaction, we send the finished product for testing in the biology labs. Prof. Long wanted me to know what happens in the biology labs, including how they test our compounds for their efficacy.

2) So today was my first day in the biology labs. I've been meeting many new people lately, and today was no exception. I was introduced to Wang Xiaohui, a postgraduate in the lab who showed me around and made sure I knew everyone else in the labs. We visited the cell culture room where they grow tumour cells for harvesting, and I got a chance to see some really cool machines.

3) In the evening, I returned to the chemistry lab to check on my reactions, and to read up on the techniques and methods used in the biology labs. It is a new experience for me working in the biology labs, but one that I really cherish. Looking forward to the coming days for more exciting and educational escapades. Until then, thanks for visiting my blog, and have an awesome day. Cheers! :D

Navigating my way around Biology terms in the Chemistry Lab

(The iPad is not mine haha)

Noodles with fried egg and vegetables ^^

Fried rice

Protocol for plasmid isolation

Western Blotting

(a basic analytical technique used to detect specific proteins in a tissue sample or extract)

The many steps involved in Western Blotting

The Chinese version of it XD

(at least they're diagrams in English)

This shop specialises in "la mian" (hand-pulled noodles from which ramen is derived) and "dao xiao mian" (knife cut noodles)

Ramen with fried egg (this tasted absolutely wonderful!)

My work is never complete... but that's what I like about it ^^