2. We first decided our PCR melting temperature by looking at the melting temp. of each of the primers we ordered and choosing the higher one, which was 63 degrees Celsius. Later, we used the Q5 annealing temp calculator to find the proper melting temperature given our primers, and we elected to instead use 57 degrees Celsius as the melting temp. -Amar

3. Keeping notes during CURE was much different because we don't necessarily know what we're going to do next. During bootcamp, I could write down the protocol in my notebook in advance and prepare for what I'm about to do. During CURE, the protocol today may be dependent on the results of an overnight procedure, and you need to think on your feet a lot more. This difference is reflected in my notes; I forgot to write down procedures altogether for around 3 days and had to include them later. Each day of notes that I take throughout the lab period mostly consists of observations, details, and small changes to standard procedure that we made, whereas the bulk of my notes during bootcamp would be a more rigid "Day X, Objectives, Procedures, etc." That may not be a good thing, and I should be thorough in my notebook even if doing real research is more erratic. -Amar