BME100 s2016:Group12 W1030AM L1

BME 100 Spring 2016	Home People Lab Write-Up 1 | Lab Write-Up 2 | Lab Write-Up 3 Lab Write-Up 4 | Lab Write-Up 5 | Lab Write-Up 6 Course Logistics For Instructors Photos Wiki Editing Help
OUR TEAM Name: Stephanie Vargas Name: Antonio Lopez Name: Aderonke Adewuyi Name: Elizabeth Delgado Name: Ryan Male Name: Your name LAB 1 WRITE-UP Independent and Dependent Variables Independent Variable: The dosage of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the independent variable. This is the independent variable because the dosage does not change or depend on any other factor throughout the duration of the experiment. Dependent Variable: The amount of inflammation induced is the dependent variable. This is the dependent variable because the amount of inflammation, measured by the amount of inflammatory protein produced, depends on the dosage of LPS taken. Experimental Design Groups: The experiment will be designed to consist of a minimum of three trials, and each trial will consist of a control group and a experimental group. Each group will consist of ten individuals. The control group will be given a placebo pill, and data obtained from these individuals, who have not been given any LPS, will be used as baseline. The experimental group, on the other hand, will provide data that demonstrates the correlation between the dosage of LPS received and the resulting inflammation amount. These two groups will be compared against one another so that any outlying factors present will not alter the results. Design: Prior to the start of each trial, blood samples will be collected, and ELISA tests will be used to determine the inflammatory protein counts of each individual. After each trial has concluded, blood samples will be taken again during the time frame that the effects of LPS are at their optimal amount, and ELISA tests will be used again to measure the levels of resulting inflammatory protein. Since prior testing has shown that 10mg of LPS increases inflammatory protein levels, the first trial will provide the experimental group 5mg dosages of LPS. If there is a measurable spike in inflammatory protein levels after this 5mg of LPS, then the second trial will provide the experimental group with 2.5mg dosages of LPS. If there is not a measurable spike, then the second trial will provide the experimental group with 7.5mg dosages of LPS. This same process will continue for the third trial to see if the optimal dose can be found. If funding is in place, then further trials would only help to narrow down this optimal dose even further. Further trials would follow the same schematic laid out above; they would be based on the concluding results of the previous trial. Subject Selection Each group will consist of ten individuals, and their ages will range between 65 and 75. The pool of candidates for this experiment will be entirely volunteers, and their selection will be randomized once a screening process has been undergone. The screening will be a relatively simple set of questions that will allow the candidate's current state of bodily health to be more accurately assessed. It will also take note of family history. Candidates that are deemed in poor health, or those that are at a high risk of unsuspecting ailments, will be dismissed. A minimum total of 60 volunteers will be needed. Sources of Error and Bias Potential sources of error include the following: Pre-existing health conditions Characteristics of different racial groups Body types (weight, height, and so on) Diet and other lifestyle factors Depending on the variety and spread of gender and race in this experiment, results may misrepresent certain populations that were not present in sufficient amounts. Ways we can control these errors: Enhance the screening process and make it more in-depth Request that volunteers have had a medical check-up in the past year and have their providers provide the results of their check-ups Narrow down the volunteer selection to have an appropriate spread of genders and races