So today was a pretty decent day overall. As far as I know, I didn’t screw up any of my experiments. Now if the results turn out correctly is another matter. We’ll see how that goes over the next few days.

  • I’ll be able to run the LMPCR gel tomorrow and get it hybed tomorrow night, so maybe I’ll get an autorad by late tomorrow or Wednesday.
  • I’ve been tweaking a regular PCR and am hopeful that I’ll get a nice band tomorrow morning (I ran the PCR this afternoon but was too lazy to stay and run the gel tonight).
  • And as for my ChIP…we’ll see. I sonicated the crap out of that chromatin, but when I ran the test gel it barely looked sheared. I’m hoping that my crosslink reversal wasn’t complete, and that’s skewing my results…I’m running a longer reversal tonight, so we’ll see. If that doesn’t look good I’m going to bag that experiment and get some help with the sonicator. I made new buffers this morning and know I followed the procedure correctly, so maybe my setup is screwy? Hmm…

Tom worked my nerves today. He came storming into the lab at 11:30 because the front office was “coming down hard” on him about some paperwork for me. I told him that all that the paperwork needed was his signature but before I could get it out for him to sign, he was gone. I finish what I’m doing, then go to find him again. It’s a little after noon and his door is open, a sure sign that’s he’s not in. Sure enough, he wasn’t. 1 PM, his door is closed but he’s not in (or not answering). 2 PM, same story. At 3 I try again with no success, then give up. I know he’s going to be back for our supergroup meeting — or at least he should be — at 4, so I’ll catch him then. He finally comes into the lab at about 3:50, asking if I have the paperwork ready. When I tell him I do, he says that I should’ve brought it to him earlier. *sigh*

We got a survey from the program to fill out, as part of their ten-year evaluation. The survey asked about our experience in the program, in particular with our mentor and advisory committee. My review of my committee was very complementary, because they’re great.

The surveys are anonymous, but I’m sure I could be identified if they tried. It asked for our concentration and starting year, so that narrows it down to maybe a half-dozen. Plus, my handwriting is fairly distinctive. Oh well. I was completely honest, though, and don’t feel worried. I don’t think there will be any repercussions.

Whoops. Time for Heroes. Type to you tomorrow, mes amis.