Lab 14: Poster Presentation and Abstract Submission
Leslie Morales-21
Objective:
The purpose of lab today was to finalize our abstract and edit our poster so that they can be sent off to be printed.
Procedure:
- Vote on logo for t-shirts and/or stickers
- Collect sample ID
- Enter metadata into spreadsheet and if PCR results were positive, move tube to appropriate rack and place soil bag in tub.
- Go to computer lab and review comments on poster and make necessary edits.
- Discuss abstracts and combine different ideas to form a final abstract.
Data:
Metadata
Group members: Leslie Morales, Holli Brown, Haleigh Inthavong
Section: 21
Group: 3
Soil ID: BIM21_3sp19
GPS location: -97.1168, 31.5502
Tree species: Texas Live Oak
BHD (cm): 49
pH: 6
Soil texture: Silt Loam
Extraction method: Silica bead
DNA concentration ng/µl: 598.2
~Volume: 15
PCR: +
Soil label on bag: HMB21S19
Poster title
The discovery of eDNA and the importance of ciliate biodiversity
Final Abstract
Soil ciliates are greatly understudied and play an important role in the rhizosphere. The objective of our study was to identify the presence of DNA within the soil sample collected from the Baylor University campus trees. The soil sample was collected from the O region of campus where the tree was classified as a Texas Live Oak, and the soil metadata, including a pH of 6, percent water of 6.024%, and soil texture of silt loam was observed and recorded. Following soil collection, students attempted to culture any observed ciliates, DNA extraction was performed by way of silica beads, the extracted DNA was purified through the use of a column and vacuum filtration, and PCR and gel electrophoresis was conducted utilizing the isolated DNA samples. The DNA sample had a 260/280 ratio of 1.42, which indicated that the DNA was relatively pure, and the sample had a positive PCR of approximately 400bp in comparison to the 1 kb ladder signifying that DNA was present within the sample. Because limited researched exists in regards to soil ciliates, the discovery of eDNA within campus trees can potentially lead to more future studies concerning the significance of ciliate biodiversity within the rhizosphere.
Final Poster
Conclusion/ Future Steps:
Today’s lab dealt mostly with finalization. As the semester is coming to an end we are just trying to make sure everything is in place for presentations next week. In the future, we will practice presenting our posters and next Friday we will be in the atrium presenting the research that we have conducted.