This document contains summaries of three workshops: 1) A workshop on magnetic nanoparticle-based protein separation where students learned to isolate proteins using chromatography with magnetic affinity nanoparticles. 2) A workshop on statistical analysis using Excel where students learned to calculate averages, standard deviations, and determine pass/fail rates from datasets. 3) A workshop on in silico drug discovery that explained the drug development process from discovery to approval and involved structure-based drug design using 3D modeling software.

1. University of Puerto Rico - Cayey
RISE Program
Laboratory Summaries of Assignment 1 Biol. 4997-Biomedical Techniques
Due date April 5, 2013
Reg.# 12 Name Monica Rivera Torres Date: March 29, 2013
Summary 4. Magnetic Nanoparticles Based Protein Separation March 1st
, 2013
This workshop was designed to teach students the process of isolating proteins. Specifically the
technique taught by the instructor was chromatography using magnetic affinity nanoabsorbants. The
purpose of isolating proteins is to get rid of different particles that make a protein impure. A pure protein
is needed for different uses such as structure studies, therapeutics, or even dietary supplements. The
experiment consisted on preparing MNPs (magnetic nanoparticles) that would bind to the protein. Using a
magnet force, the nanoparticles separated the protein from the rest of the particles in the substance. After
this purification students analyzed the results by reading the absorbencies. Then a chromatogram (volume
vs. net absorbencies) was prepared as the final results.
Word Count_115______
Summary 5. Statistical Analysis March 8, 2013
This workshop was intended to introduce the students with the basic skills of the computer program
Excel. The instructor gave various examples of all the formulas and equations that can be calculated in the
program. Beginning from “Auto sum” up until calculating standard deviation. One of the exercises given
was a list of student names, test scores, quizzes, and assistance to class. With this list, participants of the
workshop had to calculate their final average, and grade. Also it had to be determined whether each
student passed or failed the class. This involved a process called coding, which is a major tool in the world
of computer programming. This was also in the objectives of this workshop. The other exercise was a table
with given information about weight and height of different people. With this table the average and
standard deviation were calculated. After completing the table, the instructor taught the participants how
to graph the results using the same computer program.
Word Count__162_____
Summary 6. In silico Drug Discovery and Development March 15, 2013
This workshop consisted on a broad explanation of the process of Drug development. Starting from the discovery
of the drug, clinical research, trial, submissions, FDA Reviews, and approvals. Drug discovery is the process by which

2. new medications or therapeutic agents are discovered. It involves a structure based-Drug Design. This is the process
of finding new drugs or medications based on (3-D) structure of a biological-target. 3-D structures are obtained by
performing NMR spectroscopy (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) X-Ray Crystallography, or homology. During the
workshop groups were assigned each a different task given the results of the previous group. For example the second
group’s task was to identify the 3-D structure that best fits the protein using a computer program. Then each group
had present their procedure and results to the rest of the groups.
Word Count____133___