Samples Have Been Run!

Now it is time for the exciting part of data analysis. The data we get from our instruments need to be processed and analyzed before we can work on interpreting what the results mean for nutrient availability on coral reefs.

As we have mentioned before we are using two methods to analyze the data: "targeted" and"untargeted" methods. Each method uses a different mass spectrometer. In the targeted method we look for a set of predetermined compounds in our samples, including different sugars, components of DNA, building blocks for proteins (amino acids), and vitamins.

In the untargeted method we capture a wide range of compounds (based on their mass) and generate tens of thousands of data points with different mass values. These data are then processed to remove background data and find the things that are of interest to us and could be biologically meaningful. For example, we might find something that is more abundant in one sponge species relative to the other sponge species, or something that is more abundant in the sponge samples relative to the "off reef" samples.

 

Above photo: sample vials loaded onto the mass spectrometer that we use for the targeted method

 

Above photo: close-up of a sample vial; It all comes down to a small amount of sample!

Stay tuned for updates on our progress and for more info on sponges, microbes, and coral reefs!