Month: January 2017

IRRI AND UPLB TOUR

On October 25, 2013, an educational adventure took our Botany class to the University of the Philippines – Los Baños and the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna. The highlight of the day was our ascent of Mt. Makiling, a first-time experience for me, which left me utterly exhausted. However, our fatigue was soon forgotten, for serendipity was on our side when we reached the summit. A delightful surprise awaited us – local vendors offering fresh lanzones and rambutan. The fruit was so delectable that nearly all of us couldn’t resist buying kilos of it. Amid the picturesque backdrop of the mountain, our day took an unexpected turn when we bumped into a former classmate, Glenn Mariano. This reunion sparked a flurry of lively interactions – playful banter, impromptu chases, laughter, and camaraderie that filled the day with joy. All in all, this educational tour proved to be an enriching and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Singapore

Our family embarked on a memorable escapade to Singapore, marking my first international adventure beyond the Philippines. Our three-day sojourn was made possible, in part, by the gracious assistance of my mom’s friend, who helped us secure comfortable accommodations. The journey from the Philippines to Singapore took a mere three hours, and we were brimming with anticipation as we set foot in Changi Airport. What immediately struck me about Singapore was its immaculate cleanliness, a quality that left an indelible impression. The backbone of their transportation system is the efficient train network, a marvel in itself. And to my amazement, even the trains offered free Wi-Fi – a definite wow moment! Our base was along Kallang Street, where we savored a variety of delectable dishes, though some foreign flavors didn’t quite align with my palate. Our exploration led us to the Lucky Star Plaza, a vibrant hub where numerous Filipinos had established businesses. Among the gems we discovered was a delightful Filipino restaurant, bustling with fellow Pinoys who were dining, conversing, and even frolicking about …

What are the two popular rides in SkyRanch Tagaytay?

The standout attractions at this location are the Giant Ferris Wheel, famously known as the Sky Eye, and the thrilling Zipline. The Sky Eye (P150 per ride) elevates you 63 meters above the ground and features 32 air-conditioned gondolas, each capable of accommodating up to four passengers. This ride is especially sought after, primarily because it offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Tagaytay. For a different kind of adventure, you can also partake in the Zipline experience (P500 per ride). This 300-meter-long ride treats you to a mesmerizing vista of the Taal Volcano and Lake. The well-trained staff on-site are dedicated to ensuring your safety throughout the journey, providing comprehensive safety instructions and precautions. You even have the option to choose between a one-way or two-way ride. My recent visit to Skyranch in Tagaytay was an impromptu family outing that turned out to be an absolute blast. The place was abuzz with the chatter and laughter of visitors from all around. Among the crowd, the Zipline and Sky Eye emerged as the undeniable stars of …

DA BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

It’s a pleasure to be here at the DA Biotechnology Program event. During this gathering, researchers have the opportunity to showcase their latest research findings to an engaged audience, primarily composed of UPLB students, researchers, and professors. The students, in particular, have been given name tags for easy participation in open forum sessions. Throughout the day, attendees are treated to complimentary meals, coffee, and snacks, making the event both intellectually stimulating and quite satisfying for the taste buds. Moreover, the generosity of the Biotech program extends to the distribution of giveaway products, adding an extra layer of appreciation for those in attendance.

How to make SDS Gel?

One widely used method for protein separation via electrophoresis employs a discontinuous polyacrylamide gel as the support medium and utilizes sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) to denature the proteins. This method is commonly known as sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). To begin, you’ll need two gel casts, each comprising four gel plates, four gel plastics, and eight spacers. Assemble these components and secure them with the gel cast cover. Be cautious and mindful of the acrylamide kit, which should be retrieved from the refrigerator and handled in a fume hood due to potential health risks associated with excessive inhalation. The first step involves preparing the resolving gel mix, designed for the separation of proteins based on their molecular weight. In a beaker, combine the following ingredients: 38.80 mL of nano-pure water, 19.88 mL of acrylamide, 20.00 mL of resolving buffer, 760 µL of SDS, 560 µL of APS, and 44 µL of TEMED. Carefully agitate the solution and set your pipettor to 5 mL for transferring the prepared solution (the resolving gel mix) into the …

How to do SDS PAGE

Here’s the protocol for preparing and running 30 percent SDS-PAGE gels: 1. Retrieve the SDS gels as these are the ones we’ll be using for this procedure. 2. Prepare your extracted samples by gathering the following items: a tray with crushed ice, pipettor, 96-well plate, extraction buffer, sample buffer, and the protein extracts (the samples that have been extracted). Thaw the samples and ensure they are fully defrosted. Use a vortex to thoroughly mix the samples. 3. Take 20 microtubes containing protein extracts and place them in a centrifuge. Spin the centrifuge for five minutes to separate any debris. 4. Label the 96-well plate accordingly, designating ten wells for rice and ten for maize samples. 5. With the pipettor set to 50 µL, add the sample buffer to each well. 6. Reset the pipettor to 35 µL and add the extraction buffer to the designated wells. 7. Reset the pipettor again to 15 µL and add the protein extracts to each well, where the sample and extract buffers have been placed. 8. Heat the 96-well …