Hello everyone! Welcome to my final blog post on my research this fall semester. I still can't believe the semester is almost over! As I reflect on my time at the lab, I am reminded of the incredible intricacies of the scientific research process.
The research process is a systematic approach that is utilized by researchers to collect information, gather data, and generate conclusions on a certain topic. While I was aware of the core framework of the research process from my science classes, I did not realize how much attention to detail was needed to generate a robust research experiment until I joined Ramakrishnan Lab. Here, I became aware of the intentionality of conducting experiments. For example, in our lab, we emphasize gathering data that not only contributes to our overall research question but is also novel. This requires a thorough review of existing scientific literature to ensure that the data we are gathering is valid and unique. I can now efficiently review scientific literature from academic databases such as PubMed. I have learned how to synthesize the information, identify trends, and relate the key information back to my own research project. Through this endeavor, I have further understood the importance of literature review in providing context, identifying research gaps, and informing the development of my research project.
As the Chancellor's Undergraduate Research Fellowship comes to an end, I hope to continue conducting research to further understand the metabolic relationship between ketogenesis and liver cancer. This would involve supplementary bench lab experiments to confirm the internal validity of my research project. With enough time allocated towards gathering data, I hope to eventually implement a translational research plan to determine the feasibility of my research project in a clinical setting. While my research involves basic lab techniques, other forms of research can look different across disciplines, so it is important to find a lab that fits your research goals.
I would like to conclude this blog post by showing a picture of one of my favorite lab techniques: Western Blot. Western Blotting is a laboratory technique used to identify the abundance of specific proteins. This involves using Gel Electrophoresis (pictured) to help separate proteins according to their respective sizes. In our lab, Western Blotting techniques are very important in order to verify the presence of certain ketogenic regulating proteins in the liver. With each Western Blot, we uncover further information on the proteins involved in different mechanisms, which serve as the foundation for understanding the intricate relationship between ketogenesis and liver cancer. The gel resembles a work of art with its distinct protein bands, capturing a moment in the ongoing narrative of our research.
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