Serial dilutions and how my lab’s better than yours

1. Serial dilutionsand how my lab’s better than yours By Charles De Farias

2. Serial Dilutions vs Direct dilutions • Direct: A solution is mixed with another to get the desired concentration. • Serial: A solution is diluted, using a previously diluted solution. • Serial dilutions are vital when working with tiny volumes

3. MATH!! • How to calculate 1:10, 100, 1000 and 10,000 • Think of the fraction. 1:10 means 1 part to a 10 whole, or 1 ml of solution + 9 ml of water, for example. • So 1:100 is 1:10 x 1:10, which can be achieved by taking 9 ml of water, like for 1:10, and adding 1 ml of the previous 1:10 solution. • Thus, 1:10 x 1:10 = 1:100 • 1:1000= 1:10 x 1:100 • 9 ml of water + 1 ml of 1:100 • 1:10000= 1:10 x 1:1000 • 9 ml of water + 1 ml of 1:1000

4. Rob Stevenson • Studies biodiversity and ecology for conservation biology • Recently (2011) was studying flight mechanics in hawkmoths and butterflies • Lab is split into two separate groups: • Researching mosquito populations • Researching ant populations