Lessons learnt over these last two weeks – science is not predictable, experiments usually don’t work out first time and that patience and perseverance are the building blocks of a good researcher.
Research
Here you will find various links and downloads from activities, discussions and visits organised by DRIG. Other links and downloads of interest to members of the group can also be found here.
Meet the Scientists | Mollie's Blog No 9
A busy two weeks for me, learning how to transiently transfect my cultured cells and perform various experiments with them to show that my antibody for PPP2R5D works. It was a great relief to find that my antibody for PPP2R5D did indeed work well, allowing me to identify it clearly and assuredly in my future experiments. Obtaining an effective antibody was a critical hurdle to allow me to monitor how the activity of PPP2R5D changes in cells in response to certain treatments, so I can now hit the ground running.
Meet the Scientists | In Conversation:
Christine Descouts, with researcher Andy Howden, both members of the DRIG Steering group, discuss the fantastic new funding award from Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP), received by the Medical Research Council Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit at Dundee University, with Professor Dario Alessi and Dr Miratul Muqit who explain how it will be used.
Meet the Scientists | Mollie's Blog No 8
Happy New Year!
Prior to Christmas I left the lab knowing that there was a mechanism in cells that reverses the Ubiquitin phosphorylation brought about by the activation of the PINK1/Parkin pathway. With the new year ahead I am now looking to investigate whether my protein of interest, PPP2R5D, is involved in this removal of phosphates.
Meet the Scientists | Mollie's Blog No 7
A busy 2 weeks for me setting up the first experiments for my main project, as well as presenting at two lab meetings.
Meet the Scientists | Mollie's Blog No 6
A very exciting two weeks. Since writing my last blog I have been let loose on my main project for the year – what a nice surprise! I am really pleased to be getting underway with the project prior to Christmas as this gives me a few weeks to do some groundwork so that I can hit the ground running in the new year. As I am quite sure many people are feeling… roll on 2021.
Meet the Scientists | Mollie's Blog No 4
Another busy two weeks in the lab have flown by and it is quite unbelievable that I have been working at MRC PPU for 2 months now.
Meet the Scientists | Mollie's Blog No 3
In my last blog I was just about to begin my first project and I am very happy to say that the first experiment was a success. Our lab investigates two principle proteins: PINK1 and Parkin, both of which can have mutations that are associated with Parkinson’s Disease. These proteins work together to add small tags (known as ubiquitin) to the mitochondria, the engine of the cell that produces energy. These tags flag the mitochondria for destruction much like putting a demolition notice on a power plant.
Meet the Scientists | Mollie's Blog No 2
It has been 2 weeks since my last blog and I have now been working at MRC PPU for 1 month and I am really getting into the rhythm of life as a research scientist. The lab is proving to be an incredibly exciting place to work: I am surrounded with people performing innovative experiments, challenging existing concepts and finding answers to the questions that no one else is asking. It is a great privilege to be part of this inspiring community.