This Thursday, we headed out to our first field sampling/processing event with the new handheld qPCR. Our lucky contestant was none other than the breathtaking Monterey Bay Aquarium! Not only did we have stunning views out to the Pacific Ocean, but it was a good stepping stone since they provided electricity. Normally out in the field, there would not be any electrical outlets so this provided us with a perfect opportunity to see how electricity could affect our qPCR product. We are still in the midst of trying to find a new solution for a bead shaker vortex, used to lyse the phytoplankton and extract DNA since it is not battery powered and needs an electrical outlet. Some ideas are using a car battery for its power source out in the field…feel free to let us know your ideas!
-Cami Wilson