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InternQuest Photo Blog: Molecular Diagnostics

Posted at 3:32 pm October 20, 2009 by Kellie
Hanging mosquito nets in trees allows for Mary Schwartz and her research team to study the spread of pathogens at the Wild Animal Park. Diseases such as West Nile Virus and Malaria are commonly spread from mosquito to wildlife and with the help laboratory research, can be greatly lessened.
Hanging mosquito nets in trees allows for Mary Schwartz and the rest of the research team to study the spread of pathogens at the Wild Animal Park. Diseases such as West Nile virus and malaria are commonly carried from mosquito and then spread to various wildlife.After the mosquito net is left out overnight, the net is brought in and the mosquitos are sedated with a chemical called Ether. This minorly stuns and immobilizes the mosquitos so research can be performed.
After the mosquito net is left out overnight, the net is brought in and the mosquitos are sedated with ether so research can be performed.

 

Intern Sarrah studies the immobilized mosquitos underneath the microscope. Tammy Tucker, molecular diagnostic research technician at the Wild Animal Park, explained the importance of microscopes in her daily routine.
Intern Sarrah studies the immobilized mosquitos underneath the microscope. Tammy Tucker, molecular diagnostic research technician at the Wild Animal Park, explained the importance of microscopes in her daily routine.

 

Utilizing a pipet, Intern Celena places the dye and DNA soultion into the augor gel. The DNA mixture will later be placed under UV lights to expose the possible pathogens.

Utilizing a pipet, Intern Celena places the dye and DNA soultion into the agarose gel.

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