After yet another thrilling monthly meeting of the “Ion channel journal club”, the Baenziger and daCosta labs took to the ice for a lovely evening skate on the Rideau Canal skateway, followed by a delicious pub meal. We’re very lucky to have the canal just steps from main campus – and we’re lucky that the canal was able to open for so many days this year!
The Baenziger lab put on another fun show at the BMI/CMM Halloween costume contest, taking first place for a second year in a row, this time as Shrek! Everyone looked fantastic and did a great job getting into character, but to give credit where credit is due, the real MVP was the original resident of the swamp. Tough as nails, and the first character we see in the first scene in Shrek itself ….the outhouse door!
No pressure for next year…
The Baenziger lab came through again with a high-end, original and totally professionally made group costume, to take the win at the BMI group costume category on Halloween.
Big congrats to Mack, whose third author work on this paper has helped our lab break into the big workd of Cryo-EM structures and analysis, which is a new and very exciting field for us!
The paper uses cryo-EM to solve apo and agonist-bound structures of the Torpedo nicotinic receptor embedded in a lipid nanodisc, which gives an unprecedented “before and after” look at the nAChR in a lipid membrane!
We’re pleased to welcome Dr B back from his trip to Costa Rica – sometimes you just have to let your hair down….so to speak… and unwind.
Dr B riding the waves. Nope, not photoshopped.
Never ones to say no to a day off to relax in the sun, in good company while eating good food, almost all of the Baenziger lab headed off to the cottage for a day of paddling, swimming, and board games. Good times!
All work and no play makes Jack… struggle to be productive at his research. In light of this, the Baenziger lab headed to the wilds of Algonquin park for a canoe camping trip to recharge batteries. And also to feed the mosquitoes. Mission(s) accomplished!
More than one springtime Friday night has spontaneously turned into a Baenziger Lab (and friends) Pub patio night in downtown Ottawa. Who says science isn’t fun?