Sakura Science Program-Yamagata University-Daily Chronicle: Day 4
Sunday (19/02/2023) marks the fourth day of our program at Yamagata University. We gathered at the campus at 8 a.m. as per usual and started the day with delicious gyūdon to fill us up with the energy needed for today’s activities. Although the continuous drizzle indicated higher temperatures, the winds still made it feel just as chilly. However, the weather did not hinder today’s exciting agenda which is a series of experiments titled “Understanding Asian Biodiversity by Advanced Molecular Biology Technique”.
These experiments extended for the next three days, ending with a presentation explaining our results. After being divided into groups of 3, Professor Jun Yokoyama gave us an introduction to what we were going to do as well as handing us protocols to follow for the experiments. Each group will pick one of the five genera of plants (Vanda, Bulbo, Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis), where each member of the group will extract a sample of a plant belonging to the chosen genus. Then, by following the instructions given in the manual, the samples are processed thoroughly by a series of buffer solutions and multiple centrifuge sessions with the goal of isolating the DNA to be put through polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which will be followed by electrophoresis on the next day. By isolating the DNA of the plants and turning it into readable data, we can compare the similarities and differences between each plant within the genus. Hence, we can draw conclusions about what caused the evolution between species and how biodiversity came to be within a genus, as previously explained in yesterday’s (17/02/2023) lecture.
The preparation of isolated DNA was not an easy task, especially since most of us were unfamiliar with the process. Although we were very excited to try something new, it took immense concentration and care when it came to the chemicals involved in the experiments; one of the biggest concerns was minimizing contact with the crucial parts to avoid contamination, which even the slightest could jeopardize the results. Paired with the many steps involved, it is safe to say that there was a slight aura of panic and anxiety among us at the beginning. However, this nervousness was outweighed by the helping hands of the Yamagata students who used their experiences to guide us through this unfamiliar territory. They made sure our experiment would not go awry and their friendliness took all the pressure away. They even handled the more complex parts of the experiment to save us time and trouble. We could not be more grateful to have them as our lab assistants. One of the best parts about having them as our lab assistants was the fun conversation we had about cultural exchange, as we learned something new and interesting about each other every minute; from learning simple phrases from each other’s languages to talking about local cuisine.
In the afternoon, between the continuous experiments, we were given warm and savory chicken curry with naan on the side. After we finished our DNA isolation, we stored them away to be put through PCR and excitedly waited for the results tomorrow, hoping that our efforts will pay off. At 17.30, we once again had dinner at the Indian restaurant from the night before, where we ate curry that we chose beforehand, all the while chatting with the lab assistants who joined us that evening. With the evening ending on a great note, we parted ways once again to roam the city and eventually call it a night. (Niki&Reiz)
