Denny

Hey Gang,
Not my preferred method, but long week, long hours, had to leave my plasmid DNA in EtOH and sodium acetate at -20 C for the weekend. I haven't left it this long before, does anyone have thoughts or experience with this. I'm worried about the DNA being any good. Seems like it should be fine if it's precipitated and just hanging out in the -20C, but having never tested it, it's bugging me tonight. I know, get a life!

Hello All,
I'm struggling with a difficult situation and could use some encouragement from seasoned and experienced lab researchers. I work for a world renown scientist, a truly brilliant person, as well as a kind, wonderful human being. I also work with a lab mate who has very poor work ethics and whose dishonesty knows no limits. You know the type, admits no mistakes, takes all credit, smiles and lies to your face while stabbing you in the back.

I see things that alarm me on a regular basis, much is carefully hidden and disquised, such as errors and deliberate shortcuts. Today I witnessed a deliberate contamination of samples, the only excuse is that she has been wasting her day on Facebook, personal email, surfing the net, taking long lunches, socializing, etc., you get the picture, and even though she comes in late every day, she still hits the door running at the same time at the end of everyday.

But i digress, the issue at hand is that the samples mentioned above, will be assayed, results reported, and no one the wiser.
I can't stand it! The plan is to talk to co-worker first, but our already strained relationship (we barely tolerate each other) will be destroyed, on the other hand, I can not be silent and allow this to embarass, humilate, or taint the reputation of my research leader.
A very difficult situation, I know in my heart what I must do but would like to hear some thoughts.......
D