Research is Fun! (eventually I'll believe myself).
I've already gotten numerous complaints about long posts, so I'll spare you details of my research project... hey, if you're an informed reader, you've already seen that post :)
The biggest hurdle I've faced so far has involved... ahh... weird cells? In one of the first experiments I ran, I saw cells that were basically having issues with cytokinesis - two cells that were still connected would bud as if they had separated. It became a part of my project to basically do some troubleshooting experiments and figure out why the cells were displaying this weird phenotype.
Did I figure it out? Basically... it was one of the reagents. Did I spend almost two weeks doing it? Basically... and now it's crunch time. If I want to get through all of my intended experiments in the week and a half we have left, I don't have any room to mess up. = the woes of research.
But I've learned a lot, from sterile technique, PCR, and gels, to timecourses, proper care of yeast and how to be a good lab citizen. I have data - it's not beautiful, but I understand what it is and what I'm going to do with it. I've reaffirmed my growing interest in and love for research. Watching all of the other members in my lab, I can see myself doing this as soon as I walk into college, in grad school, and beyond. Research is equal parts frustration, joy, learning, and... just research. = the joys. Yeah.
