1. University of Puerto Rico-Cayey
RISE Program
Reg. # 12 Monica Rivera Torres Feb-22-2013
Summary 1. Micropipetting
During this workshop, students practiced pipetting skills that are much needed while
working in the laboratory. There were two exercises, the first one was small volume pipetting,
and the second one was large volume pipetting. The interns went through the analyzing
process of choosing the correct pipette in order to have the most precise measurement. That is
the main objective of pipetting. Ti is really important to choose the pipette closest in number to
the amount being measured. Students also practiced observation skills. After completing the
procedure of adding all the solutions into each tube, the final color of the solution was
recorded. Lastly the students checked if their measurements were accurate by withdrawing the
contents of each tube. This exercise contributed to the formation of more precise future
scientists.
Summary 2. Microscopy
The microscopy workshop had many objectives, all of which were accomplished. First
students were explained the different types of microscopy and their use. Then all micro
techniques were also explained their use in the lab. After learning about this, the students
practiced how to focus the light microscopes. Finally the students now had to become
instructors to other fellow students. Teaching them how to focus the microscope they were
taught to use. This helped students understand the steps of using the microscopes to get a high
quality photograph. Using the Q-Capture program, all students took various photos of their
specimen. When compared to photos of the same specimen found on the internet, students
got to observe the differences or similarities in terms of the quality of the photo.
Summary 3. Phages and Aseptic Techniques
Dr. Rubin gave an introduction to what the interns are going to be working with during
this spring 2013 semester. Mycobacteriophages will be isolated and characterized when found
from the soil sample collected. Previous student results were shown to give an idea of what
they could find. Also Dr. Rubin demonstrated how to use the aseptic techniques in the lab. The
importance of being aseptic while working with any kind of bacteria was explained. Therefore it
is a major priority to follow this technique to avoid any contamination. Another significant skill
demonstrated was the correct use of micropipettes. To ensure the students understood these
processes, they were put to the test. Each student gave their own demonstration using aseptic
techniques and micropipettes.

2. Summary 4. UNC Translational Medicine Workshop
The translational medicine workshop was a three day activity in which students got to
have hands on experience and expand knowledge as well. The first experiment was DNA
extraction using cells from the mouth and detergent to lysis the cells. Everyone got to see their
own DNA in a test tube. The second experiment was running DNA from a PCR on an Agarose
gel. Following every step of the protocol, from the making of the gel, the Polymerase Chain
Reaction, and loading the gel, students found the results of their patient. In this case the
patient’s test came out negative to diabetes. The last experiment was running an SDS-PAGE Gel
to see which patients came out positive to having Lysosomal Storage Disease (LSD). The results
were that patients 11, 13, and 15 were visible in the gel, this means they were positive to LSD.