Today, we traveled to the Griffith Lab at UNC Chapel Hill, where we watched a presentation about the research being done at the Griffith Lab regarding the use of electron microscopes with DNA. We learned about different methods of preparing the samples for viewing under the electron microscopes including thin sectioning. This method involves cutting the specimen into thin slices in order to be viewed under the electron microscope. We were able to look closely at the diamond knife which is used to slice the sample. We also had the opportunity to observe and use a transmission electron microscope and watched how they loaded the sample carefully into the microscope and use various knobs and levers to focus on a specific part of the specimen while the electrons were shining on it. We also saw how you are able to view the specimen either by looking through an eyepiece in which you must switch a lever to see through or on a screen that was connected to a camera attached inside the transmission electron microscope in which you must switch another lever to allow the camera to see. The trip to the Griffith Lab was a great experience that we are very thankful for and in which we were able to see how researchers use and apply equipment that we have learned about in the field.
