This is the first installment in the DNA microarray series where I will introduce the technology and explain the basics.
Real-time PCR is a specialized technique that delivers far more information about your DNA or RNA than end-point PCR. Essentially, real-time PCR is a way to visualize the amplification of specific DNA fragments as it is happening (in real time) and allows for the ability to quantify exactly how much DNA (or RNA) was in [...]
One of Bitesize Bio’s regular readers asked me to interview people in jobs that don’t necessarily require a PhD. So, today I’m talking to Angela Briski who’s a research technician and currently working in stem cell research. Hope you enjoy the interview… You describe yourself as a Research Technician. And what exactly is it that [...]
In our recent webinar on 10 Tips to Maximize Your Job Hunt Success, career development author and guru, Peter Fiske give an excellent tip on acing interviews that I’d like to highlight. Peter’s assertion is that one of the most important things you can do to prepare for a job interview is to construct and [...]
Restriction enzymes are a basic tool in the molecular biologist’s arsenal. They’re super easy to use, and virtually essential for cloning and other applications. Restriction enzymes are also a great example of a perfect “tool” from nature that scientists have co-opted for their own use. Here are a few fun facts about restriction enzymes that [...]
Ampicillin is commonly used as a selection marker for plasmids in gene cloning and protein expression in E.coli and other bacteria. While it serves it’s purpose, there can be problems using this selection marker if the user is unaware of it’s limitations. This article provides a quick overview of what these limitations are and how [...]
In any experimental procedure, getting the controls right can save you a lot of work when things go wrong by allowing you to pin-point the source of the problem. DNA ligation is no different. In this article I look at how to set up a ligation reaction with a complete set of controls, and use [...]
Often, when we interview, our primary concern is explaining the variety of ways that we can benefit the organization. Unfortunately this often results in the interviewer talking incessantly about themselves and it can be perceived poorly. Additionally, if you keep talking about yourself, you may make yourself out to be a generalist (someone who is [...]
All over the world, molecular biologists are tragically wasting hours of their life running DNA gels using tris-based conduction buffers like TBE or TAE. These buffers are known to overheat at high voltages, causing problems with gel integrity, sample denaturation and more. Because of this, molecular biologists are forced to keep the voltage of their [...]
One of my colleagues, a very good molecular biologist, told me that the only time she uses chemistry is when she needs to calculate molarities. I, of course, scoffed at this statement, and tried to remind her of all the chemistry she uses daily. True, I may be a bit biased since I am a [...]
