crestwind24- This morning I am working on my lab’s new confocal microscope (middle). Using this fluorescence microscope, I can take high resolution images of neurons in C. elegans, including their amazing axons and dendrites!! To do this, I use worms that express fluorescent markers in distinct neurons. The fluorescent proteins then fill the neuron cell bodies, and can be excited with lasers to emit light!! I then use the confocals photo multiplier tubes to detect the light and create an image! The image on the right shows 2 neurons and their processes (one red and one green)!

psgurel– I have been spending this morning packing and getting ready for the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia!  This is a 5 day long international conference where thousands of scientists, exhibitors, and students gather to discuss science, network, learn about career opportunities, and more.  I’m pretty excited because this year I will be giving a small talk on my research, and I will be participating in a panel on science advocacy.  It’s my 5th time attending this Annual Meeting, and I’ll be posting and tweeting throughout the conference.