Tours!!!

Hello!

I went to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on March 18, 2014.

It was awesome! I got to see statues of proteins and even pieces of native american art that were either on loan or had been donated. I wish I had taken pictures! Below is what I learned!

They count how much DNA is in a micro liter of chemicals and do this to many samples before storing them. How?

1. By putting the chemical on the machine
2. Then putting the chemical with DNA  onto the machine
3. Finally they  record the number of DNA in that sample.

  Also they counted the number of colonies in a group of cells by using a special microscope and counter. They use a tank of nitrogen at  about -400 Fahrenheit to store cells and use incubators at human temperature, (98.4) to grow cells. I learned that there is over 30 labs in 2 buildings out of 5! They use super clean instruments as not to contaminate any samples. I got to look through a florescent microscope that shows damaged cells. I saw cells being repaired. Did you know the research center has won 3 Nobel prizes? The people were very nice by showing me all the different labs and tests they did.

 I learned alot about DNA at this visit and I hope to see it again!

Over and out!

Elise

P.S.- Here's a picture!