Research Tools
This common lab instrument is used to separate substances based on their density by spinning samples at high speeds.
What is a centrifuge?
This scientist is known as the "Father of Genetics" for his experiments with pea plants.
Who is Gregor Mendel?
PCR stands for this process, which is a widely used method to amplify DNA.
What is a polymerase chain reaction?
"In Limitless, Bradley Cooper’s character takes a drug that enhances cognitive function. This drug boosts levels of a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory, known by this name.
What is dopamine?
Most eager undergraduates first begin looking for research on this website, which shows various labs available on campus, what they require, and what they offer.
What is the Undergraduate Research Portal?
This piece of equipment is used to amplify DNA sequences in molecular biology through cycles of heating and cooling.
What is a PCR machine/thermocycler?
In 1953, these two scientists discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, earning a Nobel Prize in 1962.
Who were James Watson and Francis Crick?
Many U.S. researchers apply for grants from this major funding agency, abbreviated NIH.
What is the National Institute of Health?
In Inception, characters enter people's dreams to plant ideas. The brain’s process of forming memories or new ideas through connections between neurons is known as this, achieved through coincidence detectors like NMDA.
What is synaptic plasticity?
This notorious undergraduate life science core series is extremely difficult to get into, and includes topics like wavelength, electricity, and motion.
This specialized lab instrument is used to separate and purify proteins based on their size and charge by forcing them through a porous material under high pressure.
What is a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) machine?
This 1928 experiment by Frederick Griffith provided the first evidence that DNA, not proteins, carried genetic information.
What was the Griffith transformation experiment?
This lab technique is used to identify proteins using antibodies, and can be used to determine quantitative protein concentration, abbreviated ELISA.
What is an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay?
In Jurassic World, scientists use some technology to edit the genomes of dinosaurs to create new species. CRISPR, now widely used in genetic research, allows for precise edits to an organism’s DNA and uses this protein to accomplish this, often sometimes referenced in name with this protein.
What is Cas9?
These two letters precede Young Hall, and represent the first and middle name of a certain retired federal district judge that named the building.
This technique uses a laser to detect the presence and abundance of fluorescently labeled molecules in a sample, often used to analyze gene expression on microarrays.
What is a microarray scanner?
This famous 1974 discovery of a 3.2-million-year-old hominid fossil in Ethiopia significantly advanced our understanding of human evolution.
What is Lucy? (What is Australopithecus afarensis?)
This brain imaging technique, abbreviated fMRI, is used to measure brain activity by detecting blood flow changes.
What is functional magnetic resonance imaging?
In Breaking Bad, Walter White manufactures a blue, highly pure substance. The chemical structure of the substance he creates is based on this organic compound.
What is methamphetamine?
This young professor is known for his off-topic open question sessions at Young Hall, but is less known for his escape room in Orange County.
Who is Dr. Hung V. Pham?
This highly sensitive imaging technique uses fluorescent dyes and lasers to analyze single cells, often used in immunology and cancer research.
What is flow cytometry?
In the 1960s, François Jacob and Jacques Monod discovered this fundamental genetic regulatory mechanism in bacteria, leading to a Nobel Prize.
What is the operon model?
This novel tool was discovered by Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier as a cheap and effective way to edit genes, abbreviated CRISPR.
What are Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats?
In Lucy, the main character’s brain power is enhanced by taking a synthetic drug. The drug mimics the abilities of this neurotransmitter, frequently associated with muscle movement and cognitive excitation.
What is acetylcholine?
This number quantifies the number of floors in the Center for Health Sciences building, commonly known as CHS.
What is 15? (12 above ground, 3 basement floors)