Team:University of Alberta/15 June 2009

June 15th Meeting Minutes

Science Updates:

David: bioinformatics: waiting for 30 primers from people. Created list of all nicking sites in each gene to determine if they’ll be a problem – 70 mutagenesis reactions needed – look into cost and alternate methods. On the back burner until ready to do them. Ask David for the list if you want it.

Julia: gene PCRing: was waiting for more pfu, now ready

Kalon: maxiprep tomorrow to get lots of pBA and pAB. Trying to optimize mutagenesis reactions. Putting genes in plasmids worked last week. Will work with PCR team now that plasmids are mostly ready.

Mitch: PCRed half of pMM1 to insert into Ecoli to make homologous region for bead recombination. Also testing helper plasmid to see if it works properly.

Kelly and Erin: cloning selectable markers into pAB and pBA. Nicking enzymes work, as does sticking together 12bp ends. Another method of making 12bp overhangs is being explored. Trying to optimize the stringing together (temp etc…) beads will come soon, and will start testing them when they do. Need to cancel previous bead order from a different company

Informatics: nothing new. Erin may make titles and authors list again.

James: nothing new. Was okay Wed last week. All up and running. Not taking candy from strangers anymore. Website is up but hasn’t been updated. To get to wiki, type in the website, then put slash wiki

Volunteers and part timers shift schedule: seems to be working well. Sunday shifts canceled for Fathers day. Saturday still on.

Business: fundraising departments: tell David when you hand in your package and do it if you haven’t!!!! !! ….! Several people have dropped off packages but not made a meeting time yet. Also let David know when you’ve scheduled a meeting. Give them a couple of days before you call for a meeting to let them read the package.

AIF: Jen Hill coming Wed at 2pm. Wear lab coats. Sent in the milestones today, so should get the full 20 grand by the end of the month. Emera will have hissy fit if we don’t.

July 11 is a Sat – who is free to go to Lethbridge for wiki and fundraising workshop and presentation skills? One person going needs a car, since we’re too young to rent. They pay 49 cents a km so you will make money. Open to as many people as who want to come. Julia may be able to come. Advisors notes: James is on vacation until Wed. Doug will be on vacation starting Friday for two weeks. Mike apologizes again for not being here. Chatted with Theresa on weekend – VP in a faculty…they gave us two stipends  She was thanked.

Anyone know if Hagup (education grad student) is part of the team? tried e-mailing and doesn’t answer. Alina says so need to use e-mail from the contact list not google group. Came to lab to watch stuff and said he’d be there often, but hasn’t been back. Didn’t get summer stipend? Maybe doesn’t have time to do this too. Does Wayne know? Contact Wayne to ask. No one has seen or heard from Clarren for a long time – motion to review it next meeting. Dan will e-mail Clarren to let him know.

Pay Max if you owe him soccer money.

Amber will work Mondays after our meetings (5:30-8:30). Not in the day. Kalon will be there in days and Amber will e-mail him PCR stuff to do.

Shaker in the lab is broken.

Accommodations: 4 people in a room. Make sure advisors have rooms  Nothing booked yet.

Travel: cheaper to come back on Tuesday than Monday night. Leave on Thursday Oct 29. Jamboree ends on afternoon of Monday Nov 2nd. Profs will defer/move the weigh for iGEM if you have midterm.

Soccer team name: ‘sex pili F.C.’ …blame Oscar.