How far have I really come?

The past few days have felt suspiciously like those of my previous engagement with my lab. I have been reading un-published reviews on paramutation that are to remain confidential, and with each one my understanding of the classical maize system grows. Unfortunately what this means is that I am only at this point understanding about 50% of what is actually presented in each assignment, but I get a little more each time! Did you know that the RdDM cycle differs from the 24 nt siRNA bio genesis in maize by only lacking the major players NRPD1 and POL IV? Wow!

My time on Wednesday and Thursday was divided between the spookiest parts of Bio5: the freezer farm, and the corn room. The atmosphere of these two domains is accomplished by the many noises of plumbing and strange machinery without which I am convinced the building would no longer operate. It reminds me of when you put your head on someone else's stomach and you never hear the same strange gurgle twice.

Anyway, Mario has promised me that he will re-unite me with a long lost friend next week: RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction).

Till next time,