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Florida and DNA extraction

This week, my lab took a trip to Florida to harvest some tomatoes we had in Floridian fields. I learned some tomato terms like "breaker" (a tomato in between green/red) and "inflorescence" (a flowering group) while getting my field experience. The project works with the University of Florida which was kind enough to let us use some lab space while we were there. We chopped up tomatoes to observe their volatiles in GCMS for a Ph.D. student in our lab. I enjoyed the experience because it gave me another opportunity to explore a lab space dedicated to plant science and I was able to see interesting Floridian wildlife. 

We arrived at the fields in the early morning; these are the fields we harvested.

Above is a bug that was blended into a plant in Florida that we saw on our trip.

After returning to Georgia, we set to work to extract DNA from the F6 generation from the greenhouse in addition to the parental lines. By extracting one cotyledon from each plant, we had enough tissue to complete the process. I was mostly observant, though my mentor gave me some roles to fulfill during the process. I will be accustomed to DNA extraction over the course of this summer as I have to do it again later on.

This close-up of the parental line helps show the phenotypical difference between the BGV007900 (dark green, on left) and the BGV007936 (light green, on right).


The REEU I am working in has given me so many opportunities. I take notes on meetings I attend and I now have advice for plant science career paths as well as plant breeding advancements in the academic and industrial setting. The program includes weekly seminars where students learn about science communication, note-taking, graduate school, etc. I am very grateful to be in this program that cares about me in and out of the lab and gives me the tools to succeed. 

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