Lec 1: Introduction course and lab techniques

Why analytical techniques matter:

• Quantifying results, havibg numbers to represent.

• Help create informed decisions

Histology:

• Study of cells, fixing cells and embedding them into soild mediums, to slice thin samples, and then stain them with chemicals that bind different compound cells, giving us different colour contrasts. To allow us to look into what is happening within these tissues.

• Snapshot in time of an organ or tissue

• Useful in understanding physioligical status/ Environmental impacts/ Disease diagnosis.

Molecular:

• RNA, and isolating them, then using PCR amplification to multiply out specific genes of interest, or copies of the gene.

• Used to asses environmental DNA

• Gene editing

Chemical and Protein analysis:

• Spectra reading and translate into quantifying molecules of interest in a sample.

Tools:

Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy

Quantifying biological signals:

• Trying to measure protein in a given volume, using ESAY, so colouration will show either a realy dark colour or light colour showing visually if there is alot or less proteins. To quantify the specific concentration, we can use through the colour the amount of light being absorbed.

• Standardise the concentration to a fixed volume, and continue to dilute, put into spectrometer, see how much light is absorbed and will give an quantitive result.

• Create a standard curve on the graph, and you can track the specific amount of specific compound of interest.