February 2025

February 12 2025

2nd day in laboratory

Daily Report – Day 2 at Dr. B Lal Laboratory

Date: February 11, 2025
Day: Tuesday

Introduction

My second day at Dr. B Lal Laboratory was filled with learning experiences and interactions with senior professionals and classmates. Today, I had the opportunity to observe laboratory tests, understand essential instruments, and learn about incubation techniques.

Morning Session

Meeting with Mentors and Classmates

Dr. Ola Sir: I met Dr. Ola Sir again, and he guided me regarding the structured workflow of the lab.
Dr. Sandeep Sir: He emphasized the importance of making a daily report based on my observations and study material. He advised that keeping structured notes would help in understanding laboratory procedures more effectively.
Vishal (Friend): We worked together and shared our understanding of different tests.
Tanisha & Manvi (Classmates): It was great to see familiar faces, and we discussed our initial experiences in the lab.

Key Learnings & Observations

1. Respiratory Viral Panel & Disease Testing

Observed testing for H1N1 (Swine Flu), Pneumonia Respiratory Panel, and other respiratory viral infections.
Understood how molecular testing helps detect viral RNA and DNA in patient samples.
Learned that these tests play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating respiratory infections efficiently.

2. Allergy Testing – Observation with Vishal

Watched the multiple allergy tests performed to identify allergens that trigger reactions in patients.
Understood the process of skin prick tests and blood allergy panels.
Discussed with Vishal how different IgE levels indicate allergic responses.

3. Understanding Laboratory Equipment

Graduated Pipette & Its Uses

Observed the correct technique for using a graduated pipette, which is essential for measuring and transferring precise liquid volumes.
Learned that proper handling is crucial to maintain the accuracy of diagnostic tests.

Incubation Process

Understood how incubation is used to grow microbial cultures.
Learned about different incubation temperatures and durations for bacterial and viral cultures.
Observed how agar plates are placed inside the incubator to allow microbial growth for further analysis.

End of the Day Reflection

Today’s experience reinforced the importance of precision, observation, and documentation in laboratory work. The guidance from senior doctors, the support from classmates, and hands-on experience with equipment helped me grasp key concepts more effectively.

I look forward to deepening my knowledge and improving my skills in diagnostic testing in the coming days.

Key Takeaways for Tomorrow

Study and understand more about microbial culture techniques.
Observe and learn about automated diagnostic machines.
Start working on a structured daily learning journal as advised by Dr. Sandeep Sir.

This journey is just beginning, and each day brings valuable learning opportunities.

February 10 2025

First Day in laboratory

saeedurrahmangroup Blog 0

A New Beginning at Dr. B Lal Laboratory

Today marked a significant step in my journey as I officially joined Dr. B Lal Laboratory on February 10, 2025. Excitement and nervousness blended together as I entered the building, ready to embark on a new learning experience.

My first interaction was with Ola Sir, who greeted me warmly and guided me through the initial process. After a brief introduction, he directed me to Charul Ma’am, who would oversee my onboarding. I made my way to the 2nd floor, where she welcomed me with a professional yet friendly demeanor.

She handed me the joining form, a crucial step in making my association official. As I filled it out, I reflected on how this opportunity aligned with my medical laboratory studies and future goals.

Once the paperwork was complete, I received a report booklet—a treasure trove of knowledge about laboratory procedures and diseases. This booklet symbolized the vast learning that awaited me, a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world application.

As I left the office, booklet in hand, I felt a sense of accomplishment and eagerness. Today was just the beginning, and I was ready to embrace the challenges and growth that lay ahead in this new phase of my career.

Story of Life

First Day in laboratory

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February 6 2025

Photoreceptor Cells: Rods and Cones

saeedurrahmangroup Anatomy, Science 0

The human eye contains specialized cells in the retina called photoreceptors, which convert light into electrical signals that the brain interprets as vision. There are two main types of photoreceptor cells:

1. Rods

Rods are responsible for night vision and help detect objects in low-light conditions.

Characteristics of Rods:

Highly sensitive to dim light (scotopic vision).
Cannot detect colors (only shades of gray).
More numerous than cones (about 120 million rods in each eye).
Concentrated in the peripheral retina, helping with peripheral vision.

Pigment in Rods:

Rhodopsin (Visual Purple) – A light-sensitive pigment that enables vision in the dark.
Rhodopsin breaks down in bright light, making rods ineffective in daylight.

2. Cones

Cones are responsible for color vision and function best in bright light conditions.

Characteristics of Cones:

Provide sharp, detailed vision (photopic vision).
Detect colors (trichromatic vision).
Fewer in number compared to rods (about 6 million cones in each eye).
Concentrated in the central retina, especially in the fovea for high-acuity vision.

Pigments in Cones:

There are three types of cones, each with a specific pigment that responds to different wavelengths of light:

Erythrolabe (Red-sensitive cones) – Detects long wavelengths (~565 nm).
Chlorolabe (Green-sensitive cones) – Detects medium wavelengths (~535 nm).
Cyanolabe (Blue-sensitive cones) – Detects short wavelengths (~420 nm).

Together, these three cone types allow the brain to perceive a full spectrum of colors through a process called color mixing.

Key Differences Between Rods and Cones

Feature	Rods	Cones
Function	Night vision	Color vision
Light Sensitivity	High (works in dim light)	Low (needs bright light)
Color Detection	No (black and white)	Yes (RGB colors)
Number	~120 million	~6 million
Location	Peripheral retina	Central retina (fovea)
Pigment	Rhodopsin	Erythrolabe, Chlorolabe, Cyanolabe

Understanding the roles of rods and cones helps explain conditions like color blindness, which occurs when certain cones are missing or not functioning properly.

For more educational resources, visit Saeed Ur Rahman.