Week 8:

As we enter the final weeks of the project, the group continues to test and prepare for the final paper and presentations. During this pasted week, the trails from last week were analyzed and graphed (shown below), for the final paper. From this the group discovered that the data trends in the results weren’t correct. For the previous tests, we used a nanodrop device to analyze the concentration of the protein released by our hydrogel.  While this is important, the data that was obtained by these trails was ultimately incorrect as the protein concentration decreased over time, which is contradictory to the expected trend where protein concentration would increase over time as it accumulates once released from the hydrogel.

As you can see from the graphs the release concentrations decrease, rather than increase over time.

This was most likely a result of the use of the nanodrop device as this device primarily detects UV spectral absorbance instead of fluorescent intensity, which is more accurate for this given project.

In the next set of experimental trials, this team will collect data on the fluorescent intensity of each hydrogel design with a predetermined amount of protein (0.l-0.2 mg) over the amount of time that each sample was taken. Afterwards, the team will create another hydrogel with 2 times the molar concentration of protein from the first experimental trial, and additional hydrogels with diluted concentrations of the protein.

In addition to the graphs of the trails, the team compiled a up to date budget with all expenses included (as shown below).