Learning to play with LSM software to alter cell imagery -fascinating what you can and how you can turn scientific imagery into a moving abstract form that you can then add to and work with in flash - these are works in progress -but i can show you some of the films that are just being developed..
Getting more used to working in the research labs -making up the compounds, taking different compunds off the cells with an aspirator, working out serial concentrations and adding these to the plates with cells on them.., looking at results under the microscope , on the plate reader and flex station and all the data and information that the experiments generate..
Whats refreshing is being in an alien environment and learning something new. I am interested in the interaction and collaboration that is being shared through this unique opportunity, i dont think the impact on myself , my work and the wider outcomes will be apparent for a while -but its so exciting being able to work in a scientific lab and respond to the material and technology that is available within this department..

Hijacking natural systems
1. Scientists have to judge if they are doing things right
2. A lot of science is built on repeating experiments to get statistically sigificant results
3. I am interested in looking at this imageries extreme beauty

13th may 2010 calcium signalling

Measued calcium signalling on a flex station -this machine automatically puts the compounds onto the cells -you dont get a visual image you get data and graphs. In industry a lot of drugs are tested on a lkarger version of a flex station called a flipper -great names!

Also looked at a Lysotracker and snaptag on the new ZeissLSM 710 microscope, a state of the art machine which is much more sensitive


Nick, said that 'scientists are always trying to do experiments that test ideas' and I think artists are always trying to create to develop and test ideas ...

week starting with Lab visit 3- 28th april 2010

Sample from a plate reader -just starting to draw over in Adobe Illustrator -looking for interesting structures and thinking about layering many of the images together to show how the cells change with different concentration of drugs attatched to them ...

notes sketchbook of lab day - I have to remember so many things-I have never heard of a molar before as a form of measurent or Log time table -well I cant remember . I have never needed to use maths since school -its essential -although some of the scientists also share some of my fear of the subject -but not as much as me.
AIM1.To produce concentration response curve for GHRELIN (AGONIST-meaning it stimulates the receptor)
2. To look at the effect of an antagonist(this blocks the receptor)
All these results were done using a 'plate reader' a 96 well plate with around 25,000 cells in a tiny single well.

Also went back on the confocal microscope -looking again how calcium when loaded on the cell causes it to fire up -but not much happened .

I am trying to understand the importance of the scientific principles- its about the principle and of what you are trying to find out. The scientists are trying to look at how different receptors bind and affect the cell with as low a concentration as possible of drugs to get the maximum effect with the minimum concentration. (This is something that is constantly reiterated). They are trying to fimd out how medicines can work in a single cell to really try and slim down the side effects.

Confocal Microscopy has only been around for 30 years and scientists have only been labelling cells for 20 years . Whats remarkable to me is the evolution of science.

Through cell signalling, analysing a range of data - the scientists in this research group want to show how Ghrelin could affect our hunger -how this hormone receptor sends messages to the brain to tell us we are hungry or not. Drug companies take the data and develop the drug. The Scientists are trying to find out how this receptor works.

The implications are significant in our society-with obesity on the rise (its health implications) and on the opposite end of the scale anorexia. Myself I am overweight -three children later and needing to shed the excess!! And its difficult-the thought that a drug could stop people eating too much, to stop some people having to undergo intrusive surgery, to stop other diseases related to being overweight. In our plentiful society we have too much to eat -we dont need to but its so difficult -why can we not be disciplined .