Diffusion Stir Cell Update
Mike and I tested the movement of Rhodamine between the two cell channels to prove that the Rhodamine particles do diffuse through the membrane. After inspection in the microscope we saw that the fluorescence from the Rhodamine does transfer from one channel to the other across the membrane. However, we also noticed that the Rhodamine dye is staining the wells of the stir cell, possibly causing contamination. To solve this, we soaked the stir cell in methanol overnight. I ran a test using only de-ionized water (no dye), to see if any fluorescence remained and no fluorescence was seen in the microscope.
I will set up another experiment with the Rhodamine today and post more results tomorrow.
Sorry – what stir cell are you talking about? Is this the fairly large one made of polyethylene that Jess was having trouble with air bubbles a few weeks ago? IF it is, it does not go on the microscope, right? Were you just sampling some of the fluid from the cell, putting it on a slide and using the microscope to determine if any dye was present?
I just want to make sure I understand the experiment… Thanks!!
This is the polyethylene stir cell that Derek and Mike made last summer. Mike and I have been working to perfect the design so there is no leaking and the membranes don’t break. To see if the fluorescence from the rhodamine diffuses through the membrane we take 3 um from each well of the stir cell (there are 4 wells, 2 are filled with dye, or whatever you want to diffuse and the other 2 are filled with de-ionized water) and place it on a slide, then view it in the microscope using the TC Beta Matlab code to determine if the de was present.
Sorry my post was not very descriptive. Hope this is more clear.
By the way, this is my post, I just forgot to log Karl out before I posted. Sorry