Scientists rely on antibodies, proteins produced by the mammalian immune system, which are able to identify very specific molecules. Day 233 of #LMB365 shows Saša Šviković, from Julian Sale’s lab in the PNAC division, purifying antibodies from litres of cells grown in the lab by passing them through a column able to trap them. This approach has been used extensively ever since César Milstein and Georges Koehler (both PNAC alumni) developed technology to produce monoclonal antibodies, for which they won the Nobel Prize in 1984. The antibodies will be used to investigate how cells respond to various obstacles encountered during the duplication of DNA
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LMB 365 – Day 232
The LMB’s NMR facility is home to five of the LMB’s seven NMR spectrometers, and is also currently hosting a spectrometer for our future neighbours AstraZeneca while their building is being completed. This photograph for day 232 of #LMB365 shows our highest strength, 800 MHz, magnet which is typically used for studying larger protein systems or when the most sensitivity is required. Liquid helium maintains the magnetic coils of the spectrometer at a chilly 1.9 kelvin: removing all electrical resistance, which allows the charge to remain indefinitely without a power source. Many people do not realise that we can’t simply switch off our magnets once energised.
LMB 365 – Day 231
The image for day 231 of #LMB365 shows a sample of baker’s yeast labeled with fluorescent dyes. Three dyes (red, green and blue) create seven different colour combinations. These multi-coloured images are used as part of a method developed by John Briggs’ group in collaboration with colleagues from the Weizmann Institute of Science to perform multiple electron microscopy experiments in parallel. Yeast cells from different experiments get a unique colour-code. They are then pooled together in one sample for electron microscopy. By reading the colour-code, the experimenter can later work out which cell came from which experiment. http://jcb.rupress.org/content/218/8/2797
LMB 365 – Day 230
This photo for day 230 of #LMB365 shows the newly installed heat exchanger for the new Scientific Computing server room. The primary chilled water system in the building is at 4C, and this heat exchanger ensures that the water cooling used for the computer racks is raised to 14C to prevent any condensation forming in the server room
LMB 365 – Day 229
Day 229 of #LMB365 shows a member of staff taking advantage of Wellness Wednesday at the LMB with a non-subsidized seated massage treatment. This uses a combination of massage and acupressure techniques to the back, neck, shoulders, arms, hands and scalp to relieve tension and reduce stress. No need to undress and no oils used, so you can go straight back to work feeling refreshed and revitalised. Blissssss…
LMB 365 – Day 228
Day 228 of #LMB365 was provided by Rosemary Keeble in Lalita Ramakrishnan’s group. They use zebrafish as a model organism to study human diseases such as tuberculosis. It is important to ensure the welfare of the fish and bacteria-free egg water containing the antifungal agent methylene blue is used to incubate embryos to ensure survival pre-hatching. This image shows 1 litre of egg water in a glass bottle viewed from above.