Researchers are surrounded by dangerous elements, from infectious microbes to cranky advisors.  With hazards all around, it’s easy to forget how deadly even common lab chemicals are. But don’t worry – we’ve compiled a list of common, dangerous chemicals to help you out. Acetonitrile Be careful with this flammable irritant.  Once this solvent is inhaled, [...]

In Part 1 of this Guide, we learned about the importance of support, resources and objectives when choosing a fluorescence microscope. We continue this guide by looking at everything from filters to warranties. You should get these filters… Quality of the barrier filters and dichroic mirrors are the deciding factor on how well you can [...]

You’re a senior postgraduate student, a post doc or a junior PI with little knowledge on microscopes and someone between Senior PI /Dean level approaches you with this: “We have now the funds to buy the fluorescence microscope someone once told me we need. Can you handle this please? Oh, by the way, the funds [...]

Having to make stock solutions is a part of everyday lab life…a tedious, but necessary, one. So why not make the process as streamlined as possible? Here are a few little tricks I picked up while I was still in the lab: Check to see if anybody has a tried and tested recipe – why [...]

LB medium is a staple in virtually every lab. It’s commonly used to propagate E. coli, and as such will be used frequently by any lab that does cloning. Chances are, LB broth or plates were one of the first things you learned to make as a newbie in the lab.  Here are a few [...]