Nearing the End
With only two weeks left until the end of the program, and a week before my poster is due, it is time for me to begin my data analyses. In the last few weeks I have been sequencing nuclear genes in addition to the original mitochondrial gene that I was working with on my samples. I am including the nuclear genes as verification of the results that I will obtain when analyzing the mtDNA sequences.
My data analyses will consist of adding my DNA sequences into a database containg known sequences of different species of mouse lemurs, and building a phylogeny tree to determine what species my samples are based on the mtDNA. Since mtDNA is only inherited from the mother, we will also build a phylogeny tree using the nuclear DNA sequences to see if they yield the same results as the mtDNA; this will help us better identify hybrid individuals from our sample.
Although I have completed PCRs for all the samples using the mtDNA gene, I am currently working on PCRs and sequences for 2 nuclear DNA sequences. Even though I probably won't finish both nuclear genes for all the samples before the program ends (due to the long time period it takes for reactions to run and the fact that sometimes these reactions don't work) I am planning on continuing in the lab during the school year, so I will be able to return and complete my project.
I have only built a phylogeny tree once (with assitance), and although I will have help I am sure this week will probably my most difficult and rewarding. I am looking forward to discovering just which fury, adorable species my samples belong to!!
