Lab skills learned:

*   Cloning and purification of various vector particles

*   Culturing and transforming bacteria strains

*   Screening bacteria using plates and gels

*   DNA manipulation techniques, including purification,

            dephosphorylation, labelling, PCR, and ligation

*   Southern blot techniques

*   CsCl₂ gradients to extract DNA or RNA

*   IR spectrophotometer operation and interpretation

*   GC operation and interpretation

*   TLC and paper chromatography techniques

*   Dialysis and PAGE analysis of proteins or DNA

*   Removal of mineral material from fossil ‘plants’

*   Ultramicrotomy thick and thin sectioning methods

*   Preparation of SEM and TEM specimens, fossil or biological

*   Operation and interpretation of SEM and TEM

*   Production and development of SEM, TEM micrographs for

            student presentations

*   Cryofracture techniques

*   Animal dissection procedures

*   General organic syntheses and purifications

*   Making of various solutions from dry or stock solutions

*   Titration of acids, bases, proteins, and amino acids