20.109(F19):Image CometChip (Day6)
Contents
Introduction
The goal for today is to get you started on the Data summary!
Protocols
Part 1: Communication Lab workshop
Our communication instructors, Dr. Sean Clarke and Dr. Prerna Bhargava, will join us today for a workshop on designing effective figures and captions.
Part 2: Modify homework
Use the information provided during the Communication Lab workshop to edit your Figure / Caption homework assignment. Also, the teaching faculty will meet with each team to provide specific feedback and comments.
You can submit the updated version of the assignment by 10 pm tonight for grading.
Part 3: Image CometChips
For timing reasons, you will not be able to image your CometChip for the DNA damage experiment. To ensure you understand the process the teaching faculty will show you a demonstration of the process and provide the images for your experiment in the next session.
Part 4: Group paper discussion
To better understand the structure and content for written communications in science, we will discuss the following research article:
Weingeist, D. M., et al. Single-cell microarray enables high-throughput evaulation of DNA doubl-strand breaks and DNA repair inhibitors. (2013) Cell Cycle. 126:907-915.
Our paper discussion will be guided by all that you have learned about how to write a cohesive story that clearly reports the data and provides strong support for the conclusions made about the data. During the paper discussion, everyone is expected to participate - either by volunteering or by being called upon!
Introduction
Remember the key components of an introduction:
- What is the big picture?
- Is the importance of this research clear?
- Are you provided with the information you need to understand the research?
- Do the authors include a preview of the key results?
Results
Carefully examine the figures. First, read the captions and use the information to 'interpret' the data presented within the image. Second, read the text within the results section that describes the figure.
- Do you agree with the conclusion(s) reached by the authors?
- What controls were included and are they appropriate for the experiment performed?
- Are you convinced that the data are accurate and/or representative?
Discussion
Consider the following components of a discussion:
- Are the results summarized?
- Did the authors 'tie' the data together into a cohesive and well-interpreted story?
- Do the authors overreach when interpreting the data?
- Are the data linked back to the big picture from the introduction?
Next day: Practice statistical analysis methods and complete data analysis
