Today, we were introduced to the fittingly named Gold Vault, a laboratory room where urine samples are analyzed for drug content. Amidst a stench of urine that permeated the air (which we tried our best to ignore), we investigated the immunoassay procedure. This system identifies drugs by binding antibodies to them, which creates the antibody-antigen complex. The binding is automatic because the body recognizes drugs as foreign material, or antigens, and attempts to expel them with the immune system by utilizing antibodies. Adam, one of the lab technicians, demonstrated some common indicators of tampered urine. Some patients with ulterior motives manipulate urine samples to hide substance abuse, Adam said. For example, a low specific gravity would indicate that the patient diluted his or her urine sample with water as that has a lower specific gravity than normal urine.
The morning streamed by, and after a quick pizza lunch courtesy of the fine folks at ILS, it was time to get back to work.
In the afternoon, we shadowed Adam as he ran some urine samples through a mass spectrometer (MS). I was amazed at the scientific process at play here–different control substances were included among the “experimental” groups of the urine samples, and believe it or not, there was even a standardized urine control, formed by mixing together hundreds of healthy urine specimens. Additionally, everything, from the racks that hold the samples to the replacement parts for the MS machine, were neatly labelled. It looks like I need to tidy up and label my room first if I want to do anything around biochemistry. We watched as Adam diligently micropipetted sample after sample, enzyme after enzyme, solution after solution, and it was clear that his skills were built from years and years of clinical testing practice. A lot of the process was playing the waiting game–for example, we waited 15 minutes for the samples to ride around centrifuge and 35 minutes for the samples to get cozy in the incubator.
Throughout the day, we also met with individuals who worked under different wings of the Integrated Solutions system. Dr. Jay, a computer scientist, told us that he creates patient interaction apps and software. We also met Chris, a marketer, who created the billboard in the patient waiting room that informs about hemp’s benefits.
I had great fun today and the shadowing was a new experience that’ll certainly arm me with the proper lab etiquette I’ll need for future internships. I’m very much looking forward to see what the rest of the week holds.
