Last week I isolated RNA from bacterial cells and Human b-cells. i was asked to compare the two different ways of prepering the RNA. Usualllly the bacterial RNA Is added to human RNA ln order to boost the am0unts present in the samples (seeing that we are working with such small concentrations of RNA) so I tested samples vith and without the bacterial RNA, against a range of different concntrations of RNA. The resUlts generated in the samples and the repeats showed that it was not necessary to add this bacterial RNA which will save time preparing the samples and growing the bacteria.
We also tested the RNA alongside some assays and using RT-qPCR we were able to see if we had managed to isolate RNA from the cells. We generated good results, and we had managed to isolate the RNA from just 10 cells however it was only possible to see the results using genes which are more highly expressed.
I also had a meeting with Robin Breckenridge who is vice president to the global head of operations in Pharma Partnering, it was an amazing opportunity as he was the one who set up the link between Roche and the Saltire Foundation. He gave me sound advice with respect to my future career which reminded me just how amazing this opportunity was.
In other news the interns had a friendly game of football with the UK taking on the rest of Europe, it was a close game but we just nicked it in about the 56th minute of injury time.