Shawn Loder: Victories and Caution in the Lab BACK

Published by AFAR

Three weeks into my project and finally some of the data came back clear. We found a protein interaction that had never been shown before and finally had a link to show that the regulatory mechanisms we’ve been exploring are real.

I had been with my lab for almost a year before starting work through the MSTAR program and this project is both an offshoot and culmination of much of that preliminary effort. When the image popped up on the screen of the machine we use to image chemiluminescence on western blots, it was a very satisfying feeling and I was proud to show those results to my PI. However, like many of the day to day victories in research, proof of anything requires checking, double checking, and then triple checking again for good measure. Within the week I had already set up a new set of experiments, a repeat of the previous set and two separate immunoprecipitations working backwards, to make absolutely sure that we’re not being deceived by some artifact of the process.

Sometimes the link between the results in the lab and tangible benefit to patients can seem unclear but when a result shows up that highlights the potential for a new avenue of treatment, there is a moment where things seem to come together. It’s nice to have moments like this early on in the experience to continue the momentum we had at the beginning. There will be a lot of work in the future and every little victory counts.

Shawn Loder
University of Michigan

"Diary of an MSTAR Student" follows scholars in the 2012 Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program, highlighting their summer experiences. As they continue their path of research, training and clinical practice, read their daily thoughts at www.afar.org/mstarblog. New diary entries are posted every day, so check back soon.