At Idexx Laboratory in Westbrook I was given an in
depth tour of the building, operations and was introduced to other
workers and scientists by Beth Myrick, a chemist who works with a chemical
testing technique. After I was given my guest pass, Mrs. Myrick gave me
an overview of the company. Idexx makes kits that test animals for diseases
in cows, horses, pigs and other small animals. Mrs. Myrick showed me the
different departments : the legal,operations and research and development.
The legal department deals with patents and interactions with other companies.
The operations department mass produces the ideas that get through research
and development. Research and development work on new ideas, and perfect
old ones. Mrs. Myrick started in the operations department and then moved
to research and development, where she works on ELISA tests. The ELISA
tests uses a 96 cell plate where different concentrations are placed with
the serum and testing substances. An enzyme is added which bonds to the
remaining antibodies. The darker the well, the more positive the test.
I was also introduced to a man named Shannon who worked with PCR and phoresis
techniques. Most his work was with protein, not DNA however. Shannon has
his Ph.D. in molecular biology from UNH. He gave me advice about my thesis
for college, telling me to listen to my advisors and make sure that the
members of my group worked well together. He showed me a new technique
for preparing gels, and also showed me how to use a special camera that
uses ultra-violet light to view gels. I ended the day by preparing my own
ELISA test. Going to the lab showed me that laboratories are not just research
labs, but a lot of the work is done in the office and in the management
fields.
I would like to thank Mrs. Beth Myrick for taking
time out of her day to help me learn more about the biology field. I would
also like to IDEXX labs, Shannon and Mr. Hardy for their time