Training/safety-related (before starting any experiment in the lab!)

• Complete all safety trainings and update the Safety Training checklist
• Fill out the “Working alone” and Volunteer agreement forms, if required
• Familiarize with various equipment in the lab, read SOPs and update the Equipment Training checklist
• Read and sign the Gupta Lab Safety Procedures form

General

• Familiarize yourself where equipment and other general things are kept in the lab
• Familiarize yourself with various chemicals (liquid and solid) in the lab
• Keep your lab notebook up-to-date

Worm-related

• Read basic worm culturing techniques and C. elegans genetics and anatomy (“Methods” chapter in Wood's C. elegans book and the websites www.wormatlas.org and www.wormbook.org)
• Learn to
  • Make and seed C. elegans culture plates (NG agar)
  • Make platinum wire pick for handling worms
  • Propagate worm cultures by bulk transfer
  • Transfer single/few worm(s) without poking holes in agar
  • Recognize males and hermaphrodites
  • Distinguish between egg, larval and adult stages
  • Recognize L4 stage hermaphrodites (based on the vulval invagination)
  • Recognize young hermaphrodites (without fertilized eggs in the uterus) and those that are actively laying eggs
  • Mount worms on glass slides for Nomarski observations
• Study various stages of the developing vulva and gonad in wild type worms and take pictures
• Setup a genetic cross
  • Cross Unc/Dpy hermaphrodites to wild type males
  • Clone 3 wild type-looking worms in the F1 generation
  • Recover the mutant in F2 generation

Microscopy-related

• Learn to operate the Nomarski microscopes. Read microscopy books and ask the supervisor to demonstrate the correct method of handling.
• Cover the Nomarski microscopes EVERYTIME after you have finished using it. Microscope lenses are expensive.
• Organize your imaging files on the computer. Create your own folder to keep all the data files inside. Unorganized files may get deleted without any warning!
• Use the Log Book. It is a MUST for everyone. You should also keep an eye on others to make sure that they are doing it as well.
• Report problems with microscopes to me IMMEDIATELY. It is a collective responsibility of lab workers to keep things running smoothly.

BE A RESPONSIBLE PERSON! DO NOT MISUSE EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES AND REPORT PROBLEMS PROMPTLY.

NO FOOD OR DRINK IS ALLOWED IN THE LAB!