This week was all prepping to participate in research. I watched and read lots of lab safety information. Then I identified an unknown bacteria. It was a microbiology throwback. I think that got me into the right headspace to start thinking about my research project. It wasn't difficult. I used the steak plate method to culture onto PSA plates that I incubated at various temperatures. My bacteria had some pretty green splotching (seen in picture). Then I did a gram stain noting the colony and cell morphology. I used a dichotomous key to determine that I needed to do an Oxidase test. Then cultured on some different media. I eventually found out that my bacteria was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. That's one of the bacteria used in the research in which I'll be participating, so that made my heart a little happy. Even at 1000x magnification, I couldn't see any flagella. That would have been extra special cool. I looked it up on Google though. Yay Google, there were lots of good pictures. It still wasn't as cool as seeing it on my own slide.
     I was kind of curious about the practical use of dichotomous keys. Most of what I read afterward seemed to indicate that it's being replaced by the use of identification using genetic markers. Sadly, I was talking to the other members of my research group and they've already done that for the bacteria that we're studying. I missed it! I did get some information that my group has been using for their background research to start my folder on the project. I feel like I'm finally getting started. It's good.