Monthly Archives: July 2014

The Study of Life and Death

USC Wrigley Institute – wrigley.usc.edu

By Patrick Sun

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin

I’m certain that somewhere, I have an economist or tax lawyer counterpart doing great work studying taxes. But as a biologist, I have the opportunity to study one of life’s great quandaries: life and death.

As a Wrigley Marine Science Center Summer Graduate Fellow, I’ve been granted the opportunity to do graduate research at the Catalina tide pools behind the Wrigley Marine Science Center this summer, studying natural fluctuations in the pools. An interesting observation my team and I have made is that these tide pools often dry up, and in the process become very unpleasant places to live. Eventually most of their inhabitants must either leave (few can) or die (most do). For perspective, one of these pools in the process of drying out has reached salinity levels 300% above normal seawater. My eyes already sting when seawater gets in them. I’m fairly certain my eyes would shrivel up and fall out (only slightly exaggerating) if they came in contact with this pool of water.

A tide pool drying out, with salinities +100 psu. White residue around the edges is salt. Small crustaceans know as copepods continue to be found alive in these pools despite the extreme environments.

Yet life continues in this harsh environment, in the form of small crustaceans called copepods. My research team and I are interested in understanding how life can continue and how long it will persist. In other terms, we are studying the process of local extinction. We also plan to document how fast life returns once these pools are refilled with seawater during the wetter seasons. In a sense, we are studying the life cycle of the tide pool.

All this talk of life and death may makes the natural world seem cold and calculating. But I believe there is a lot of love in nature (evident by this heart shaped cactus!).

Heart shaped cactus above campus

I also believe as we study the world around us, it is studying us. The other day, I had an ambassador from Bird Island visit me and examine my scientific equipment. I’m certain it was just a safety inspection. I hope I passed.

A cormorant examining our field flag.

Thanks for reading! If you have any question please let me know at patricys@usc.edu. I encourage you to continue your own exploration of life’s beautiful intricacies.

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A Day in the Life – REU Research on Catalina

USC Wrigley Institute – wrigley.usc.edu

By Nick Fisk

I don’t think I’ll ever forget the first time I looked out at the island from the labs at the Wrigley Institute.

Two Harbors, Catalina

Who could, with a view like this?

So far, life here at WIES in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program is exceeding all my expectations. From the science to exploring Catalina, I’m having a BLAST (get it? genetics humor…) at every turn. My graduate mentor, Rohan Sachdeva with Dr. John Heidelberg‘s lab, is who I have spent the most time with since arriving on the island. It seems that the folks in charge out here did a good job pairing people with mentors and with projects, because everyone is so passionate about their research. The same holds true for me.

I guess now is as good as time as any to mention that my project is a bit different than my peers. The goal of my project is to identify and describe the activity of deep sea bacteria and archaea communities, using a metagenomic and metatranscriptomic framework. What this boils down to is a little bit of lab work (to isolate DNA and RNA) and a whole lot of computer work to get a sort of snapshot of the deep sea micro-critters. To me, this is one of the most exciting things I could be doing. It has applications in a wide range of fields, from conservation to climate change, from human health to aquaculture microbiomes, and from bioremediation to biodiversity. Of course, it hasn’t been without its hiccups (after all, science seldom goes smoothly!) but even when I mess up, I’m learning and I’m enjoying myself. It helps that my mentor is such a chill dude, too, and is always patient with me.

Deep sea microorganisms

Aren’t they just the cutest?

Of course, not all my time here has been spent on my project. Since my research doesn’t really involve any field work, my fellow REUs have invited me to help out with their various projects. I’ve gone to the beach to help collect mussels. I’ve gone to tide pools to release extra copepods. The geospatial team has invited me to go with them to geotag leopard sharks. I didn’t even have an idea of how any of these creatures even looked before arriving here. And for the record, leopard sharks are pretty darn cool. Beyond helping each other with our research projects, we find other ways to enjoy ourselves. After all, this IS the Catalina Island. We’ve gone kayaking and hiking, snorkeling and swimming. Perhaps my favorite thing is the REU ping pong tournament we have going on.

REU Ping Pong bracket

Winner plays REU Coordinator Dr. Diane Kim in a ping pong battle to the death!

I honestly thought I was going to be a bit of a loner here. Everyone’s project seemed so different than mine, and then there’s the fact that we came here from all over the nation. It probably doesn’t help that I am a bit of an oddball (as is the stereotype for bioinformatics/computer people). It makes me incredibly happy to realize that my fellow REUs both accept and embrace it. There is nothing quite like heading back from the lab after a long day of science to a group of friends like this.

REU Group

REU group trip to Hollywood

I guess science helps bring people together after all.

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