15 October, 1997

>15 October 97

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> No weather information is available today. The computer people are >playing with the website and no information is online. It is, however, a >nice day with another storm reportedly on the way. So far it hasn't >happened.

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> This was a routine science day. I spent most of it trying to fine tune >the assay I use to determine the amount of tube foot protein in the >Antarctic starfish species, Odontaster validus. The results of the assay >indicate that it must be repeated again, perhaps tomorrow. I'm still >trying to determine the best sample volume to use so that the amount of >protein I'm trying to measure is within the range of my standard curve. >Today I got a little closer.

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> This evening's science lecture was given by Norbert Wu. Norbert is a >world renown underwater photographer whose work has been seen in many >publications and nature films . He worked closely with Jacques Cousteau >and as a research diver for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. >His photography and cinematography have appeared numerous books, magazines, >and films such as "Audubon", "International Wildlife", "National >Geographic", "Natural History", "Omni", and PBS' "Nature."

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>Things to ponder:

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> Scientists often use information they do know to help learn what they >don't know. One way of doing this is to use a standard curve. Here's how >it works:

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> One may make dilutions of a very pure protein of known concentration. >An experiment can be done with these samples and the data plotted on a >graph. When samples of an unknown protein are included it is possible to >use the graph (standard curve) to determine the unknown concentrations. >

>1. Brainstorm and think of some ways to use a standard curve to measure >unknown quantities, i.e. what kinds of substances could be measured by >using a standard curve?.

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>2. Science is not just for scientists. Norbert Wu has found a way to make >a living using skills which blend both science and art. Think of other >ways where one could make a living by using both science and art. What >sort of training might be necessary for this?

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