Science!

I know I've been posting a lot about all the fun stuff I've been doing, but what I'm really here to do (what Bill Gates is presumably sending me here to do) is to learn stuff about science. As I think I've said before, I love the Institute (not only because the food is amazing) and my lab in general.  Sadly, I haven't really done anything yet.  I go to work, but I spend most of my day in these stupid bureaucratic safety and "induction" meetings that all say the same thing but are each administered by a different branch of the University.  Plus I have basically a mountain of paperwork to do!

But over the last couple of days I've been starting to do some lab work at least. I've been learning how to identify the genetic markers and balancers we commonly use for crosses and I've also learned how to identify flies that are so young that they haven't mated (we call this picking "virgins," let the middle school jokes commence), which is important to make sure crosses are clean.  Today I also learned how to dissect larvae to isolate the brain for stainings or other procedures.  It sounds boring, but it is the only science I've gotten anywhere near since being here, so it is exciting to start laying the groundwork.

Another great thing about being at Cambridge is the huge numbers of lectures that are constantly going on. I can post more about Cambridge science later, but suffice it to say that Cambridge has historically been a center for science (think Isaac Newton, Darwin etc.).  These days, we draw amazing lecturers from all around the world.  I know I already mentioned Sydney Brenner, but today I went with all my lab mates to a talk about microRNAs.  I assumed it would just be some random person, but I walked in and the lecturer turns out to be David Bartel!  He is basically the leader in this field.  Funnily enough though, I know of him mostly because one of his post-docs was on my Rhodes interview panel.  She was kind of scary-amazing and totally intimidated me, so I thought it was kind of funny that his lab would come up in my life again so soon (albeit in much different circumstances)!

Anyways, more science info to come as things start up!