Experimental biophysics and the importance of quality samples

Speaker

Andrew Harris, PhD Candidate

Abstract

Rhodopsins are photoactive membrane proteins that are found in organisms from all three kingdoms of life, which live in marine and terrestrial ecosystems all over the world. They are responsible for vision in eukaryotic organisms like humans, and are relied on even more heavily in unicellular organisms that use rhodopsins for energy production among other things. I’ve been characterizing a new group of chloride transporting rhodopsins from fresh water cyanobacteria for nearly two years. The last several months of which have been focused on improving the quality of my laser spectroscopy samples by attempting to decrease scattering while maintaining a native-like environment for the protein. Often in experimental science, you will only ever see the final product. Many lab hours are summarized in a few pages when the research is published. You are rarely exposed to the trials and tribulations of the researchers involved. In this seminar, I will lift the veil and introduce you to the wonderful world of laboratory failures that regularly occur prior to eureka moments which (sometimes) lead to publications.

Further Details

Snacks will be provided at 12:30 pm. The talk will begin at 12:45. Make sure to follow the Graduate Seminar Series on Facebook(External Link).