1. Spring Semester 2011-12
University of Puerto Rico - Cayey
RISE Program
Instructions for Laboratory Writing Assignments
1. For each assignment you should write a summaryparagraph of 8-10 sentences and a range
from 160 -170 words.
2. A template for each assignment is attached. Once you complete the template email it to Dr. Elena
Gonzalez; she will grade it using the rubric below and return it to you. Within the next two days, you will
email it to me with the corrections incorporated. In your summary include a reference to each one of the
criteria in the rubric below.
3. Email subject should include: Your register number; first name; Assignment # and hand-in date.
Example: 1. Lysander Assignment 1 February 10
Rubric for Assessing Laboratory Summaries
Name Grade
Date Points
Assignment Number 30 Points Total
A. PURPOSE OF THE LAB 1 2 3 4 5
TECHNIQUE
Refers to purpose and objectives
of the lab techniques
B. BIOLOGICAL COMPETENCE
Demonstrates knowledge of
laboratory procedures
Reports findings adequately
C. ENGLISH COMPETENCE
Uses correct grammar, syntax,
spelling, and punctuation
Demonstrates clarity and
coherence
D. CRITICAL THINKING
In concluding identifies
applications and or implications of
the study

2. University of Puerto Rico - Cayey
RISE Program
Template for Laboratory Summaries of Assignment 1Biol. 4997-BiomedicalTechniques
Due dateFebruary 17, 2012
Reg.# 15 Name Juan Carlos Torres Sánchez Date: February 17, 2012
Paragraph 1. Microscopy and Photomicrography
The creation of the microscope has improved our science knowledge and discoveries many scientist have
made using this instrument. Microscopy has improved during the years and now there are many techniques
one can apply by using a microscope. They have been used for the discovery of many things, including
bacteria and many other types of cells or microorganisms. This first workshop was about microscopy
techniques and photomicrography. Some techniques that we learned were phase contrast, dark field,bright
field and perspective. The objective of the workshop was to learn different microscopy techniques and to do
photomicrography of a given assignment. My assignment was to take a photomicrography of my cheek cells,
which are the epithelial cells in our mouth, through the phase contrast technique. The results showed a
successful photo of my cheek cells that demonstrated the nucleus and other organisms inside those cells. One
could see bacteria eating the cell because it was dying. We learned all of these techniques at the workshop
and they are an important part of science because they have helped us discover bacteria and cells that may
cause harm to humans. Seeing these microorganisms through the microscope can help scientists study them,
and find ways to make them harmless.
Paragraph 2. Measurements – Micropipettes& Aseptic techniques
Pipettes are used to accurately measure and dispense small volumes of liquid. Micro Pipettes are one of the
most important tools for various procedures in a laboratory. The accuracy and precision of pipette decides
the quality of test results perform in a particular laboratory. Aseptic technique is a set of specific practices
and procedures performed under carefully controlled conditions with the goal of minimizing contamination
by pathogens. These workshops consisted in working with micropipettes, aseptic techniques and bacteria,
and mixing different amounts of volumes. We performed a streak plate, which is spreading out a colony of
bacteria on an agar plate until a single bacteria is found. Also, we did a bacterial smear; first by staining the
bacteria and then seeing them through the microscope. The results for the streak plate were looked at a week
later and it had a successful spread of bacteria. The pipets and aseptic techniques have been used in many
investigations; also, bacteria identification has been really helpful in determining for example the bacteria
that causes throat infection. All of those techniques and instruments have improved the quality of the
experiments and being able to stain bacteria was also another great technique because scientists could see
which type of bacteria it was and know if it was dangerous or not.
Paragraph 3. Workshop UNC - From DNA to Protein
This workshop consisted in a three-day event where the main objective was to learn about Translational
Medicine and some techniques in DNA and protein separation and detection. On the first day, we learned
how to isolate our own DNA. The second day, we worked with oncogene amplification, separation, and
detection. We did two experiments, the first one, a Polymerase Chain Reaction, copied the DNA multiple
times. Secondly, we did electrophoresis, which runs the DNA on an agarose gel. Depending on the lines that
appeared on that gel, the person could determine if the subject had the oncogen or not. The third day, we
worked with oncoprotein separation and detection. First, we ran the proteins using the Western Blot
technique. Then, we detected what type of protein we had; if we had oncoprotein or not. The results
indicated bands that my patients had both oncogene and oncoprotein. These techniques can be used as a

3. diagnostic for patients who may have cancer. Also, translational medicine is an area of research that focuses
its efforts to carry scientific knowledge from the bench to the bedside. The determination of the oncoprotein
can lead to future work in determining if the person has cancer or not. This workshop helped us realize that
scientists are needed to create new diagnostic procedures for the patient’s routine checkup that can be fast
and easy in the diagnoses of disease.