Posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 9:03am

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Cheese Please

Well, the leg is still broken. I’m still out trying to heal. But I’ve been keeping up with everything that’s going on at UIT while I’m stuck recuperating. While I love Mousebook, and love to stay in contact with my coworkers, someone got a hold of the image from my accident and posted it without my knowledge. But that’s ok. It’s traveled far and wide and a lot of people are impressed, and not just because I’m so handsome. They like the fact that they can use the IRDye Bone Tag optical probe in conjunction with other agents to help pinpoint the location of primary targets.

Although I’m down and out, work is still getting done. The LI-COR Blot Washer has been a big help. It’s freed up our scientists time by automating the Western blot washing process. This gives them time to pitch in with some of my work, while still making headway on their own projects. It’s win-win. Well, except for me. I’m almost out of cheese.

Until next time…

- IRP

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Posted Monday, February 1, 2010 at 5:16pm

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Bone Anatomy

The good news is UIT’s safety team responded immediately. The bad news is my lab obstacle course fitness program is no longer an option. I was climbing the Tube Rack Wall when the impossible happened, it disappeared and I lost my footing. I guess Dr. Earl N. Meyer really needed it for his experiment.

For a second, I was free falling, but then I hit the lab bench. But, before I could squeak in pain the safety team was there. Dr. Meyer had realized his mistake and called them immediately when he saw me fall. The safety team’s quick response and teamwork, saved my life…or at least my leg. They rushed me to the imaging room and put me on the Pearl. Even though I was in pain, I saw this as an opportunity for the team to see the IRDye Bone Tag in action. Broken leg aside, everyone got a good look at my fabulous bone anatomy and structure. I might have to try modeling next, once this leg heals up.

Until next time…

- IRP

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Posted Friday, January 4, 2010 at 9:00am

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A New Year, A New Resolution

The Holidays were great! Spending time with family, eating all the good food, left me with a warm feeling in my heart and some extra grams around the waist-line. But that’s ok. I’m an innovative mouse with mad multi-tasking skills.

I was using the MPX (Multiplexer) Blotting System when it hit me, I too could increase my throughput, maximize efficiency and decrease costs. The MPX is designed to adapt existing Western blotting procedures to screen multiple samples and I want to adapt the lab to sweat off multiple grams and save money on pesky gym memberships. And because the MPX helps optimize my experiments efficiently, I have a few extra moments to get started on my workout routine. I’m thinking a few stir bar weights, some Erlenmeyer flask bar bells and ring stand pull-ups ought to get me in fighting form in no time. I’m already starting to feel the benefits.

Until next time…

- IRP

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Posted Friday, December 4, 2009 at 8:00am

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Of Mice and Men

It was a good idea, in theory. As you’ve probably already surmised, my Holiday gift plan was spoiled, literally. I forgot about UIT’s winter break. I proudly delivered my gifts on Christmas Eve before heading home to spend time with my family. I returned from break to find my labmates and friends buried in a very fragrant surprise. The smoked Gouda I’d given them had gone bad. The smell was so pungent it was all I could do to run into the lab and jump into the Pearl Clean Box. Luckily it was attached to the docking station inside the fume hood. Thank goodness for my short stature and outside ventilation.

One good thing that came from this experience is that I realized that people are really starting to recognize me. I was the first one they blamed for the cheesy presents. Eh, you win some. You lose some. I think this was a win.

By the way, I definitely had some time to think about the situation. It took awhile for Dr. Meyer to free me from my wedged position inside the clean box. The fit was a bit tighter than I remembered, either that, or I gained a few grams over the holidays. Ma always did make the best cheesecake.

Until next time…

- IRP

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Posted Monday, November 1, 2009 at 10:56am

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Gouda

Fine reagents are like a fine cheese. Once you’ve tasted the woodsy flavor of a fine piece of Smoked Gouda, there’s no going back. Just like once you’ve experience the beauty of IRDye^® infrared dyes, you won’t go back, either. IRDye provides high quality data and images. Click here to read more about IRDye infrared dyes.

Speaking of images, I went to have my annual Holiday Photo taken. Let me tell you, I was having an awful ear day. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s definitely not pretty. So my picture plans went awry. I never knew ears could flop so many different ways. I guess Ma and Pa and the rest of the family won’t be getting a picture this year. I’ll also have to think of something else to give to all my friends at UIT.

All this talk about quality products and quality cheese has made me hungry. Hmmm… that gives me an idea!

Until next time…

- IRP

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Posted Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 12:15pm

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A Challenge...

Time sure flies when you’re having fun. That’s definitely how I feel here at UIT. One of my first objectives was to get to know everyone. It’s important that I’m recognized as LI-COR’s official spokesmouse. I couldn’t have asked for a better opportunity to socialize with my peers than at UIT’s annual Fall Costume Ball.

I was chatting with a gentleman, whom I’ll refer to as Captain Stu. He was a little concerned about the non-specific binding and background noise of his western blots. What Captain Stu didn’t know, was that no single blocking buffer is suitable for all antigen/antibody pairs. I told him to try optimizing his conditions with LI-COR’s blocking buffers sample pack meant for optimizing blocking conditions on a case-by-case basis.

Stu was thrilled with this news, but he had one more question for me…

Silly pirate, what do you mean “And who are you supposed to be?” I’m Isaac Roger Photon, Spokesmouse. I guess this means I have more work ahead of me. Until next time…

- IRP

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Posted Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:27am

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The Odyssey: A Mouse's Journey

It’s my first day at the University of Innovative Technology (UIT). Everyone knows that first days can be nerve-wracking; but, me, I’m not nervous. This is all cheesecake. My role as spokesmouse for LI-COR Biosciences has been all about reaching out to the scientific community to let them know about our products—the instruments, accessories and reagents. Now, I’m on campus at UIT to do that very thing.

This morning I got to meet with Dr. Earl N. Meyer. He’s UIT’s resident expert on chemiluminescent Western blot detection. Boy was he surprised when I told him that, with the Odyssey® Infrared Imaging System, he’s not going to need x-ray film, developer, etc. anymore.

The great thing about the Odyssey is that it’s a flexible system with many applications. With the Odyssey’s ability for two color detection and precise quantification, Dr. Meyer’s Western blots can now produce data with wide linear ranges and high sensitivity in a shorter amount of time. What’s not to like about that?

To say he was impressed is an understatement. He’s going to tell everyone in his lab about the Odyssey and what it can do. But my job here at UIT isn’t done. LI-COR has many products that both support the Odyssey and expand its imaging platform. The next sixteen months are going to be exciting as I do my best to share my knowledge to help further the research of scientists everywhere. Check back here, as I update each month, to share my journey at UIT. You never know what surprises are in store and this is certainly going to be an adventure.

Until next time…

- IRP

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