My Discovery of Research: Metagenomics
During my Junior Spring semester, I took the Metagenomics course taught by Dr. Putonti. Through it, I have not only experienced hands-on research, I have also learned to work and write collaboratively in a group research setting. In doing so, I have really connected with many parts of the Loyola mission and personally developed greatly.
The Metagenomics course was structured around a large feat of biological data analysis. In previous years, water samples were collected from Lake Michigan and were filitered in the lab. These samples were then sequenced via Illumina MiSeq in the 16S ribosomal RNA region. This sequencing produced tens of millions of genetic reads, each representing different species. We, as a class, then proceeded to analyze this large amount of data using bioinformatics methods and tools. We divided this undertaking into separate projects, where I largely worked on a chunk of the project having to identify and sort out protists from bacteria with much conserved genetic sequences. After the research into our individual projects was completed, we combined all of our findings into a paper that is currently under review to be published.
This class really fell in line with the Loyola mission, especially regarding the work to “expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning”. Before this study, there were no metagenomic studies done on Lake Michigan and scientists had no idea about the genetic information contained within the lake. We analyzed several important aspects of the gene pool, but there is much more to study. As such, we released all of the genetic data via a database for the whole world to be able to use and analyze. In the beginning of our study, we also analyzed other metagenomic studies of lakes. Our findings can be compared and contrasted with these to compare and contrast Lake Michigan with similar lakes worldwide and perhaps glean information about its food chain and other factors. As such, we really contributed to several growing bodies of knowledge, both locally and internationally, and created the basis for many other studies in the future.
I personally developed a large amount as a result of this class. Before this class, I had only programmed for myself or homework assignments and had never really seen bioinformatics done, only learned about it. That all changed through this class, where I got my hands dirty to use my skills to produce great results. Further, before this class, I had very little knowledge about the process of research. Now I feel elucidated in the process and ready to undertake more studies and work in the area. As part of Metagenomics, I also worked on part of a collaborative research paper. Through this, I learned how to write, summarize complex research and edit research projects. In participating in this study, I feel like my bioinformatics abilities have heavily improved. Not only that, I have learned how to work on research papers and in a large research group, similar to research in industry and universities worldwide.
Through these reasons, I believe that participating in Metagenomics has helped me grow not only academically, but also socially and personally. Through the class, I feel like I have really given back to the research community and the community of Chicago. As such, I believe that I have really engaged to the community, myself and the world.
The Metagenomics course was structured around a large feat of biological data analysis. In previous years, water samples were collected from Lake Michigan and were filitered in the lab. These samples were then sequenced via Illumina MiSeq in the 16S ribosomal RNA region. This sequencing produced tens of millions of genetic reads, each representing different species. We, as a class, then proceeded to analyze this large amount of data using bioinformatics methods and tools. We divided this undertaking into separate projects, where I largely worked on a chunk of the project having to identify and sort out protists from bacteria with much conserved genetic sequences. After the research into our individual projects was completed, we combined all of our findings into a paper that is currently under review to be published.
This class really fell in line with the Loyola mission, especially regarding the work to “expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning”. Before this study, there were no metagenomic studies done on Lake Michigan and scientists had no idea about the genetic information contained within the lake. We analyzed several important aspects of the gene pool, but there is much more to study. As such, we released all of the genetic data via a database for the whole world to be able to use and analyze. In the beginning of our study, we also analyzed other metagenomic studies of lakes. Our findings can be compared and contrasted with these to compare and contrast Lake Michigan with similar lakes worldwide and perhaps glean information about its food chain and other factors. As such, we really contributed to several growing bodies of knowledge, both locally and internationally, and created the basis for many other studies in the future.
I personally developed a large amount as a result of this class. Before this class, I had only programmed for myself or homework assignments and had never really seen bioinformatics done, only learned about it. That all changed through this class, where I got my hands dirty to use my skills to produce great results. Further, before this class, I had very little knowledge about the process of research. Now I feel elucidated in the process and ready to undertake more studies and work in the area. As part of Metagenomics, I also worked on part of a collaborative research paper. Through this, I learned how to write, summarize complex research and edit research projects. In participating in this study, I feel like my bioinformatics abilities have heavily improved. Not only that, I have learned how to work on research papers and in a large research group, similar to research in industry and universities worldwide.
Through these reasons, I believe that participating in Metagenomics has helped me grow not only academically, but also socially and personally. Through the class, I feel like I have really given back to the research community and the community of Chicago. As such, I believe that I have really engaged to the community, myself and the world.
A little guide to the diversity contained in the human microbiome. Lake Michigans' is equally complicated, if not more diverse.