Welcome back everyone,
This week has been shorter than last since we were given the 4th off. Monday was a rather short day since the lab was bustling with people, so we were sent home early. Tuesday seemed to pick up and was a much longer day. We arrived at the lab at 7:30 am to take out the oxycodone rats that are in long access now, meaning that they are in their self administration chambers overnight with the goal of increasing their intake of the drug. At this point, the rats are already dependent on the drug and are very well trained on which lever to press in order to receive the drug. After they had been taken out we cleaned the chambers and filled the oxycodone syr
inges then put the cocaine rats into their chambers.
inges then put the cocaine rats into their chambers. When the cocaine rats were finished we took them out and repeated the cleaning process. However, this time when I went in Sierra and Adam were working on a very interesting and expensive experiment – getting blood from their rats after injecting them with oxycodone. For this experiment, there are 0, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minute time intervals in which you draw blood for both males and females. After getting all of the samples we then test the amount of oxy in their blood after each interval. The reason this had to be performed was for Sierra and Adam’s paper that is in the process of being written. It’s a very meticulous process to draw blood, Sierra has to find a small vein where the tail meets the rat’s body while I, or someone else, prevent the rat from moving. When the oxycodone fully seeps into the rat’s bloodstream it’s easy to tell because they become very cold and still due to the properties of oxycodone, it represses the rat’s ability to regulate temperature and they become lethargic. I have learned a lot by working with everyone at the lab and
especially enjoyed working with Sierra and Adam on this experiment.
especially enjoyed working with Sierra and Adam on this experiment.While being in the lab has been very enjoyable, we did get a four day weekend. In that time I went to the beach with a good family friend from Telluride, watched the fireworks, and have simply enjoyed San Diego. Every Saturday I drive up to Costa Mesa to train at my grandmaster’s Karate studio where I am able to work with a very influential mentor of mine, Barbara White. All in all, I’m very delighted with my time at George Lab and in the city!
Until next time,
Danika Petit
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