FES Kemi Forskning i Sverige

Sorting through the Data

2010-04-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Today I'm working on processing the data from my sample analysis. The samples have all been run through the UPLC-MS-MS machine and now I am looking over the numbers the machine came up with. It works by first shooting the samples through a filter then a chrotography column. In the column, the sample is under extremely high pressure, up to 10000psi. As the samples go through the column, the smaller molecules shoot through faster, and the larger molecules take more time to go through. As the sample comes out of the other end of the chromatography column, the fluid in front is composed of the smallest molecules, and the fluid at the end is the largest molecules.
The sample then goes into the tandem mass spectrometers. This instrument puts the molecules under a negative current, which rips off an atom of hydrogen and converts the molecule into an ion. The ions are then fired through a reaction chamber which exposes the molecules to four strong opposing energy fields. These energy fields tear the molecules apart into measurable chunks, and identifies which molecule is which based on mass of the pieces each one is torn into.
Then I get chromatograms which are like wavy lines that look like hills and mountains. I have to use a program to calculate the area of the main peak or hill, compared to the size of a standard peak. The ratio between the two peaks area's yields the concentration of that particular compound within the total sample. Then I have the approximate level of toxin (x,y,z) within the sample, which can be related back to the level of that toxin found in the fish fillet, which can then be related back to the level of that toxin found in other fish from the same location, and then the toxin levels within the fish fillets can be compared to the toxin levels in the water in that location, and a good estimate of the concentration of that toxin in that location can be calculated. So far it seems there are some very pure areas of the nile river, but also some very toxic ones.

Örebro Movie 'Planet Campus'

2010-03-25T06:17:00.001-07:00

This entertaining video shows some of the buildings and locations in Örebro University.

How to Visit and Tour Sweden - wikiHow

2010-03-21T02:28:00.000-07:00

How to Visit and Tour Sweden - wikiHow

How to Be Safe When Using a Chemistry Lab - wikiHow

2010-03-21T02:26:00.000-07:00

How to Be Safe When Using a Chemistry Lab - wikiHow

How to Survive and Thrive in Your First Organic Chemistry Class - wikiHow

2010-03-21T02:25:00.000-07:00

How to Survive and Thrive in Your First Organic Chemistry Class - wikiHow

How to Crystallize Organic Compounds - wikiHow

2010-03-21T02:23:00.000-07:00

How to Crystallize Organic Compounds - wikiHow

Research Video Update 2

2010-03-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the second half of the research video.

1.Second Extraction
A.Repeat steps C-H on residual homogenate, then proceed to part 3
2.Concentration
A.Combine the extracts (appx. 8ml) Evaporate combined extracts to 2ml using N2
3.Purification/Clean-up
A.Add 1ml n-hexan. Shake for 30 seconds. Remove the hexane phase (top) with a pipet, repeat n-hexan wash twice more
B.Transfer the AcN-phase to pre-washed 15 ml PP-tube with 50mg ENVI-Carb and 100uL glacial acetic acid. Shake for 30 seconds
C.Evaporate to less than 1ml (including ENVI-Carb) using N2
D.During step C spike LC-vials with Recovery Standard (RS) consisting of 10uL kolv 68, 10uL kolv 251, and 5uL kolv 216
E.Filter the extracts through pre-washed 0.2um cellulose filters into 1 ml LC-vials
4.Final Concentration & Preparation
A.Evaporate to 200uL with N2 then add 300uL 2mM NH4Ac (aq).
B.If samples become cloudy, centrifuge at 9000g for 30 minutes
C.Sample is now ready for UPLC-MS-MS analysis

Research Video Update 1

2010-03-17T05:44:00.000-07:00

I am almost completely finished with the lab part of my research. Now all I am waiting for is the UPLC machine to be fixed (again). Hopefully it will be repaired soon so I can begin the analysis of my extractions. Here is a video showing the 1st half of the extraction process in detail.

1. Digestion & First Extraction
A. Put Approximately 1g of fish homogenate into 15ml pre-washed polypropylene (PP)
tubes, make one blank for every X samples
B. spike with 25uL of kolv 146 internal standard (IS)
C. add 0.4ml of 200 mM NaOH in MeOH, then vortex and let stand for 30 minutes
D. add 4ml of Acetonitrile (AcN)
E. ultrasound for 15 minutes
F. shake for 15 minutes
G. neutralize pH by adding 20uL 4M HCl in MeOH
H. Centrifuge samples at 8000g for 10 minutes (30 minutes for 2nd extraction)
I. Transfer liquid phase into new pre-washed 15ml PP tubes, set 1st extract aside

Research Update

2010-03-06T10:20:00.001-08:00

My research is going very well. I finally have a good all around understanding of the process from start to finish, and I have had the privilege of having my lovely lab assistant Cara help me recently.

I'm starting on my Egyptian fish muscle samples, and the homogenization process is troublesome. I am analyzing tilapia fish from 10 various locations along the Nile river. It will be interesting to see if there is PFC contamination in their waters, being there is relatively little industrialization compared to many other regions of the world.

This will actually be the first time PFC levels have been quantified from N. Africa. There has only been one other study in Africa pertaining to PFCs in fish and it was done on lake Victoria by a small obscure African research team. PFCs are currently one of the hottest families of chemicals in the environmental biochemistry research community.

Up until about 10 years ago, there was very little research done regarding their effects on the environment, despite the fact they have been being produced in quantities exceeding 2000 tons/year since 1949 by 3M and other companies. Now they are one of the most researched chemical families. Unfortunately, they are actually extremely useful compounds due to the fact that they are hydrophobic, lipophobic, and reduce surface tension very well.

Their unique properties make them excellent for water and oil repellents, lubricants, nonstick coatings (teflon), and they are a main ingredient in firefighting foam. However, due to their chemical structure, they are extremely stable and non-reactive, which makes them persistent organic pollutants (POPs), they are bioaccumulative, which means they accumulate and stay in biota, and there is much research suggesting they are very detrimental to all living creatures.

Some studies have suggested links between PFCs and SIDs, preeclampsia, leukemia, kidney, bladder, pharynx cancer, and more. In fact, they are so persistent that if we were to entirely stop using them right now, they would persist in our environment for the next 50-100 years before gradually sinking into the deep ocean although the would never truly be gone.

My research will help the scientific community better understand the problem so they can do more to stop it.

Becoming a Foreign Exchange Student

2010-02-15T02:17:00.000-08:00

This post is for everyone who has always dreamed of studying abroad, but they just didn't know where to start. It may seem like too much to handle initially, and it can be a challenging process, but putting in the extra effort it requires is definitely worth the reward. This guide is from the perspective of a US college student but I hope the advice will still benefit students in other countries.

To prepare, there are some basic things that will make the process much easier. First, having a good GPA of 3.5 (As and Bs) or higher is very beneficial, and in some cases required. Second, being involved with activities and clubs on campus is a huge plus. The more active you appear in campus life, the better your chances will be of getting accepted. So join some clubs, or start a club, and go to different events sponsored by the school that will seem impressive on your Exchange application.

Once you have prepared yourself, go to an informational meeting where you can learn about your different options for studying abroad. These meetings are great opportunities to learn about where you actually can study abroad, meet other students who are or have studied abroad, and meet with the Foreign studies staff of your school. It would be a great idea to befriend the Foreign studies staff, as they will be the ones deciding who gets to study abroad.

After you have learned about your options, I would recommend narrowing it down to your top 3 choices of countries you wish to study in. Applying for only one program can be risky, since there are usually limited positions available, and the more desirable destinations will fill up fast. Begin the application process AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Do not procrastinate or you will miss important deadlines. Getting a visa to study abroad in a foreign country can take months, and in the likely even you apply for scholarships, they also take a long time.

The application process itself can be a challenge, depending on what school you are at and the availability of the Foreign studies staff. You will most likely need letters of recommendation from at least two professors. Hopefully you have impressed a few of your profs and they will be glad to write you a good letter of recommendation. Make sure to communicate with them where you plan to go, what you plan to study, and what you would like them to emphasize in their letter to maximize its effectiveness in aiding your application. You will also need to write several essays describing why you should go, what you hope to achieve, etc. Try to keep them general, so you can reuse them for scholarship applications with a few small revisions.

In addition to applying for the program at your home University, you will likely need to apply to the foreign University you wish to attend. Most Universities abroad will have a page about exchange programs in English that will guide you through this process quickly and easily.

If you have made it this far, congratulations, you're getting close. Keep your eyes on the prize. The next step after getting accepted in the application process is applying for your visa and scholarships. I recommend applying for scholarships regardless of your financial situation. Ask your Foreign exchange advisor and they should be able to provide you with a list of scholarships you are eligible for. Also do a quick Google search to see if there are any scholarships available your advisor didn't know about. But just remember to only apply to legitimate funds, as you do give a lot of information away when applying. If you are a financial aid recipient getting the Pell grant, you may be eligible for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This is the award I received that made my entire trip possible, and I am very grateful for the help they have given me.

The visa application can seem overwhelming. Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time and keep all of your documents together in one place. I can't provide too much specific information because the process is different for each country you apply to. Try to phone them after you have sent the paperwork in and inform them that you are a student and they may process your application faster.

At this point, you've been accepted to your chosen program, accepted at your University abroad, and applied for scholarships and your visa. Now you are 90% done, and all that remains is to arrange travel accommodations. Check out Student Universe for great discounted airfare. At this point, you can most likely direct your questions at your new Foreign studies advisor at your new University abroad. They have had students in the same situation as you before, and they know how to help you find the school, arrange travel, etc.

I wish you the best in your ambition to study abroad, don't give up until you get it! I didn't make it the first time, but I tried again until I got it! You can do it if you are determined, and the reward is well worth the effort. Good luck!

Svensk Klass

2010-02-07T01:53:00.000-08:00

So after about a week of going to the research project full time, I realized that I was only getting about 4 credit hours at UWF that would count towards my major. The project itself was worth 30ects or 15 credit hours, but at my home University research projects don't count very much towards getting your bachelor's degree. In addition, I was in the lab all day, every day, and I felt I was missing out on enjoying being abroad.

I then decided to reduce my research project to half-time, which would be 15ects (7.5 credit hours) and pick up two Swedish Language and Culture classes. Now, I'm still doing my research project, but I am also learning about Swedish language and culture.

Hopefully now I will have much more time to travel throughout Europe and hang out with other exchange students and learn about their home countries.

Wish me luck in learning to speak Swedish!

Beginning My Research

2010-01-29T03:12:00.000-08:00

I started my project at the beginning of this week, and it is going very well. When I arrived, my professor Ana Kärrman actually informed me that the research I am doing is considered an "exam project" which is the last step required for European chemistry students to earn their bachelors degree, and there is a possibility that Örebro university will award me a Bachelors Degree upon my completion of this project. The project itself is worth 15 credit hours at my home university which is more than full time enrollment. I am supposed to go to the lab Monday through Friday from 9-5. The project's goal is to analyze fish liver samples from the Nile river in Egypt to find PFCs.

A Lite Background Berättelse

2010-01-16T02:54:00.000-08:00

I would like to begin the blog by sharing a little background information to explain how I got where I am now. I started my college career in Pensacola, Florida at the University of West Florida (UWF), before coming to Örebro Universitet.

I'm sure you are wondering -as has everyone I've met- 'why did you choose Sweden?'. Well, it wasn't for the weather. I knew leaving Florida in December to go to Sweden would be hard mentally and physically, but I was born and raised in Minnesota, so I know how to handle the cold.

A few reasons I chose to study in Sweden were the subject of my research (more on that later), my desire to connect with my Swedish heritage, and basically because I've just always wanted to study abroad and visit Europe. Also, I love traveling and learning about new cultures, languages, and lifestyles.

Välkomnar från Sverige

2010-01-16T01:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome from Sweden! I'm glad you found my blog. My name is Jacob Armbrust and I am a foreign exchange student (FES) in Örebro, Sweden.

The focus of this blog is to share what I have learned during my exchange and hopefully inspire other students to study abroad as I have.

Over the next 4 months, I plan to share a combination of stories, guides, videos, pictures, and links that will be useful and entertaining for people interested in Chemistry Research, Environmental Toxicology, Studying Abroad, Learning Swedish, and College Life.

Thanks for checking out my blog, I hope you enjoy my future posts!