Please Help Me!!

[torpedo2008]

I am a microbiology graduate & post-graduate in INDIA who has been selected to ph.d in interdisciplinary genomics at UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTRE AT SAN ANTONIO (UTHSCSA) in USA. My academic credentilas have been very good because I came out as University 2nd in my masters & GRE I got 1370..GATE 1041 rank & CSIR-NET LECTURESHIP... all this sounds good but I have always avoide doing practicals during my classes. As a result I havent done SDS-PAGE, sequencing, western , northern blots etc. with my own hands ...is it going to be too hard for me during the rigorous coursework there...please suggest whether it is an absolute MUST to learn these from wet-lab before going there??

[danfive]

Hell no. That stuff is extremely easy. Besides everyone learns by watching a technician do it a couple times. By the way UT and San Antonio people are very friendly just ask them and they'll tell you what you need to know.

[Priyanka]

There is absolutely no need for you to learn the wet lab techniques before you go there..It is obviously an added avantage if one is well versed with techniques.... However,.. If you have some time to yourself before you have to join then you can go for training in a good lab for a month or two...