Day in the Life of a Research Assistant in Cambridge (weekend) | bacteria & stem cell culture 🧫

Vy
17 Jul 202209:06
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video transcript documents a day in the life of a lab technician, highlighting the meticulous tasks of cell culture and bacterial handling. The technician prepares for maxi preps, changes media on stem cell plates, and sets up bacteria cultures, all while adhering to strict safety protocols and sterility. The attention to detail, such as using parafilm and specific tools to avoid contamination, underscores the precision required in lab work. The narrative is set to a backdrop of casual weekend lab duties, punctuated by the technician's personal touch of stocking up on instant noodles.

Takeaways
  • 🧪 The individual is preparing for a day at the lab, focusing on stem cell and bacteria cultures.
  • 🍜 A quick visit to an Asian supermarket for instant noodles is mentioned as part of the day's activities.
  • 🔬 Upon arriving at the lab, the first task is to change the media on ESL plates and set up bacteria cultures for maxi preps.
  • 🌡️ Media is warmed up before use, which is essential for the proper care and handling of the cultures.
  • 📅 Bacteria cultures were initiated on Friday evening with LB media to facilitate quick work over the weekend.
  • 🚫 Lack of bacterial growth in the cloned samples means mini preps won't be conducted, shifting focus to maxi preps instead.
  • 💊 Antibiotics (canomicin) are added to the culture at a specific dilution to maintain the health and integrity of the bacterial cultures.
  • 🔬 Parafilm is used to store and protect bacterial plates, showcasing its importance in lab settings.
  • 🧫 Cells that have been recently transfected require media changes and drug selection with pure myosin.
  • 🖌️ Special white board tips are used for removing media from ESL plates to prevent damage and contamination.
  • 🎶 Music is played throughout the process, indicating that it's part of the lab work atmosphere.
Q & A

  • What is the primary task the speaker is going to perform at the lab on Sunday afternoon?

    -The speaker is going to change the media on some stem cells and set up bacteria cultures for maxi preps the following day.

  • What safety measure does the speaker emphasize at the beginning of the video?

    -The speaker emphasizes the importance of safety first, though the specific measures are not detailed in the transcript.

  • What did the speaker do before arriving at the lab?

    -The speaker stopped by an Asian supermarket to stock up on instant noodles.

  • What is the first task the speaker performs once in the tissue culture room?

    -The first task the speaker performs is to change the media on the ESL plates.

  • How much LB media is used for the maxi prep cultures?

    -For maxi prep cultures, the speaker uses 400 ml of LB media.

  • Why does the speaker add antibiotics to the culture?

    -The speaker adds antibiotics, specifically canomicin, to the culture to select for the correctly transfected cells.

  • How does the speaker ensure sterility when picking a single colony for the maxi prep?

    -The speaker uses a sterilized loop to pick a single, isolated colony to avoid contamination and ensure the bacteria growth comes from the selected colony.

  • What type of tips does the speaker use when removing media from ESL plates?

    -The speaker uses white board tips that are wider and less sharp at the bottom to avoid scratching the surface of the ESLs and to prevent contamination.

  • What is the speaker's reason for wrapping the bacteria plates in parafilm?

    -The speaker wraps the bacteria plates in parafilm to maintain sterility and keep the plates protected in the fridge.

  • What is the significance of the 'lone ranger' term used by the speaker?

    -The term 'lone ranger' is used to describe a single colony that is isolated and does not touch any other colonies, ensuring that the bacteria being cultured is from the intended colony.

  • What is the purpose of the drug selection process mentioned by the speaker?

    -The purpose of the drug selection process is to select for cells that have been correctly transfected with pure myosin.

Outlines
00:00
🥼 Lab Work and Bacteria Culture Preparation

The first paragraph describes the lab work activities on a Sunday afternoon. The speaker is preparing to change media for stem cells and set up bacteria cultures for maxi preps the following day. They also share a quick stop at an Asian supermarket to stock up on instant noodles. Upon arriving at the lab, the speaker's immediate task is to change the media on ESL plates and set up bacteria cultures. They mention having prepared some LB media and tubes for mini preps the previous night. However, due to poor bacterial growth, they decide to proceed with maxi preps instead. The speaker explains the process of selecting a single colony for growth in the maxi prep, the importance of using parafilm, and the addition of antibiotics like kanamycin at a specific dilution to the culture.

05:10
🧫 Cell Media Change and Drug Selection

The second paragraph focuses on the process of changing media for various cell cultures that require different supplements. The speaker emphasizes the importance of checking the health of the cells before changing the media, especially for those that have been recently transfected and are awaiting drug selection. The use of whiteboard tips for removing media from ESL plates is highlighted to prevent scratching the surface and potential contamination. The speaker also mentions the use of autoclaved tips to ensure sterility and the individual attention given to each 10 cm plate during the media change process.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Stem cells
Stem cells are a type of cell that has the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They are often studied for their potential use in regenerative medicine and therapy. In the video, the user is working with stem cells in a lab setting, indicating a focus on scientific research or potential medical applications. The mention of changing the media for stem cells suggests that the user is involved in maintaining and culturing these cells for experimental or research purposes.
💡Bacteria cultures
Bacteria cultures refer to the process of growing bacteria in a controlled environment, usually in a laboratory. This is done to study the bacteria's characteristics, for research purposes, or to produce certain substances. In the context of the video, the user is setting up bacteria cultures for the purpose of conducting maxi preps, which are a method used to purify and concentrate plasmid DNA from bacterial cells. This indicates that the user is involved in molecular biology techniques and genetic engineering.
💡Maxi preps
Maxi preps, short for 'maxi-scale plasmid preparations,' are a method used to isolate and purify large quantities of plasmid DNA, typically from bacterial cells. This technique is commonly used in molecular biology and genetic engineering for various applications, such as cloning, sequencing, or the production of vectors for gene therapy. In the video, the user is preparing bacteria cultures for maxi preps, which suggests that they are involved in genetic research or biotechnology work.
💡Media
In the context of the video, 'media' refers to the nutrient-rich substance used to grow cells or bacteria in a laboratory setting. It provides the necessary nutrients for cell growth and maintenance. The user mentions changing the media on ESL plates and warming up the media for bacteria cultures, indicating that media is crucial for the health and growth of the cells or bacteria being cultured.
💡ESL plates
ESL plates, or 'essential lipid layers,' are a type of culture dish used for growing certain types of cells, particularly stem cells, that require a lipid layer to mimic the in vivo environment. The user mentions changing the media on ESL plates, which suggests that they are working with delicate cell types that need specific culture conditions to maintain their properties and functionality.
💡Asian supermarket
The term 'Asian supermarket' refers to a grocery store that specializes in foods and products from various Asian countries. In the video, the user visits an Asian supermarket to stock up on instant noodles, indicating a personal anecdote or side story that adds a touch of everyday life to the otherwise scientific narrative.
💡Tissue culture room
A tissue culture room is a specialized laboratory space designed for the cultivation of cells and tissues outside of their natural environment. It is typically equipped with sterile conditions and specialized equipment to maintain the health and growth of the cells. The user enters the tissue culture room to perform their work, highlighting the controlled environment necessary for the experiments and procedures being discussed.
💡Parafilm
Parafilm is a brand of petroleum-based film commonly used in laboratories to seal and store samples, Petri dishes, and other containers to prevent contamination and maintain sterility. The user mentions using Parafilm to wrap up their bacteria plates, which underscores the importance of maintaining a sterile environment in the lab and protecting the integrity of the samples.
💡Loop
In the context of the video, a 'loop' refers to a small metal tool used in microbiology to pick and transfer individual bacterial colonies from an agar plate. The user mentions using a loop to pick a single colony for maxi prep, which illustrates the precision required in handling samples to ensure that only the desired bacteria are selected and grown for further study or application.
💡Antibiotics
Antibiotics are substances, often derived from bacteria or fungi, that can kill or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. In the video, the user adds canomicin, an antibiotic, to the bacteria cultures as part of the maxi prep process. This is done to select for bacteria that have successfully taken up a particular genetic construct, often containing a gene for antibiotic resistance, which allows for the identification and isolation of successfully transformed cells.
💡Drug selection
Drug selection, in the context of cell culture and genetic engineering, refers to the process of using specific chemicals or drugs to promote the growth of certain cells while inhibiting others. In the video, the user plans to add pure myosin to select for correctly transfected cells, indicating a strategy to ensure that only the cells that have been successfully modified to express a particular gene or protein will continue to grow and proliferate.
Highlights

Heading into labs on a Sunday afternoon for scientific tasks

Need to change media and stem cells, as well as set up bacteria cultures for maxi preps

Emphasis on safety first before beginning lab procedures

A visit to an Asian supermarket to stock up on instant noodles

Arrival at the lab and immediate observation of a colleague leaving the tissue culture room

The plan to change the media on ESL plates with the media already being warmed up

Setting up bacteria cultures for quick weekend procedures

Description of unsuccessful mini preps due to lack of bacterial growth

Preparation for maxi preps with 400 ml of LB media

The addition of antibiotics (canomicin) to the culture at a specific dilution

Picking a single colony for growth in maxi prep to ensure purity and avoid contamination

Use of parafilm for storing bacteria plates and its role as a favorite lab material

Changing media for recently transfected cells with an upcoming drug selection process

Use of specialized white board tips for removing media from ESL plates to prevent damage

The importance of using autoclaved tips to prevent contamination

The process of changing media for different cell types with specific requirements

The transcript's value lies in its detailed walkthrough of lab procedures, emphasizing safety, precision, and the practical aspects of biological research

Transcripts

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Lab WorkBacteria CultureCell MaintenanceSunday RoutineScientific ProcessMusical InterludeSafety ProtocolInstant NoodlesParafilm Usage