Have you ever had a sales person suggest just the right new kit or enzyme that makes your life a whole lot easier? Or on the flip side, how about when a sales person doesn’t get the hint that you are in the middle of keeping track of setting up a 96 well plate of PCR reactions and can’t stop what you’re doing?

Being a sales rep is a really tough job, requiring a thick skin, good interpersonal skills and the ability to handle rejection and a lot of pressure. I’m sure many of you have had the experience of sales people who were very good, as well as those of the more clueless variety so thought it would be fun for us to discuss our experiences, both good and bad. Here are some questions we could look at:

1- What makes a good sales person ?
2- What are the worst qualities in a sales person you have observed that should be avoided at all costs?
3- What is your funniest or best sales rep story? (Please, no company names, unless you are giving kudos!)

So here are my answers: Read more »

I’ve always thought that it takes a good imagination to study molecular and cell biology since we never actually see much of the molecular processes we study, dissect and hypothesize on every day. Think about the mental models you have of the processes of cytoskeleton polymerization/ de-polymerization or DNA translation for example. Aren’t they amazing?

Biovisions, a Harvard animation company have come up with an animation of cellular processes that is probably the closest thing to an external representation of a molecular biologist’s imagination you can get. Read more »

To the general public, scientists seem all seem pretty much the same. However, as someone who has studied these fascinating beasts up close I have found that there are in fact several distinct species within this genus.

In order to promote public understanding, I propose a classification system that groups scientists together based on exhibited behaviour and alterior motives, rather than using purely DNA-based criteria. Please note that all of the following still fall under the Order Primates, but have been re-classified in the newly created Family Academiae. Read more »

It’s Friday again, so nothing too heavy from me today, just a little light entertainment to ease you into the weekend. Here are three (somewhat) entertaining molecular biology-related movies from you tube. Read more »

Wide eyed and wet behind the ears, the rookie researcher steps into the lab for the first time. Armed with several years’ knowledge mined from text books, lectures and undergrad labs he feels ready to take his place amongst the worldwide legions of scientists who battle daily in the pursuit of knowledge. Little does he suspect the pitfalls that lie ahead, the classic mistakes and unknown dangers lie in his path.

Here are four rookie researcher disasters. All are true stories that I have witnessed (and one that I made myself - I’ll let you guess which). Each of you will likely have your own tales to tell, please share them in the comments section below and let this serve as a guide, helping rookie researchers of the future avoid the mistakes of others.

1. Pipette inferno. A pristine set of micro-pipettes hang in their holders above the bench. Tools of precision, and of considerable value. Filled with anticipation, the rookie is performing his first ever culture inoculation. Read more »

Robert, a Bitesize Bio reader sent me an e-mail to tip me off about a fun little contest being run by BioRad at www.rethinkpcr.com.

You are invited to say how you would “re-think” PCR. At first I thought this was a technical contest, seeking real suggestions on how PCR could be improved but actually you just have to complete a sentence starting with “I think” in a PCR-related manner. Most people seem to have gone for some sort of PCR-related pun or joke. Here are a few of my favorites: Read more »

Ok, this week has been a bad week in the lab so far. A few weeks ago I wrote a post describing 15 reasons to be a scientist. Today I am in the mood to cross over to the dark side and give you 10 reasons NOT to be a scientist! Strangely I could only think of 10. If you have any more, please feel free to add them in the comments section below. Read more »

Have you ever called technical service departments for advice and help in troubleshooting or choosing a product? Depending on the reason for the call, the experience can vary from positive and helpful all the way to torture for both people. Working in technical service can feel like a very unrewarding job as you are handling complaints most of the time. However, an experienced technical service scientist can not only help solve your problems but can also become a trusted resource and friend.

As a technical service representative for almost 5 years at a major biotech company, it would amaze me what people can do wrong with a simple kit. Read more »

Now for a bit of light entertainment of the biological kind. Wash out your mind - I don’t mean that kind of biological entertainment Read more »

Just a bit of fun for a Friday… I’ve often thought that some of what we molecular biologists do with staining and things could easily pass for artwork, but I’ve never seen anything like this fantastic agar plate artwork posted on Wikipedia. It shows a San Diego beach scene drawn on an agar plate using an eight color palette of bacterial colonies expressing fluorescent proteins. Read more »