by Shoba on June 23, 2009

Controls are obviously extremely important when setting up experiments. Without them, meaningful interpretation of the experimental results can be impossible. I say obviously, but in my previous job as a technical services (read on...)

by Suzanne on June 22, 2009

The reverse transcription (RT) step of RT PCR for converting RNA to cDNA is critical for accuracy in quantification and for finding low copy messages. So you want to make sure that this step is performed with the highest (read on...)

by Suzanne on June 8, 2009

Whether cloning is your everyday work, or you just dabble, you are bound to meet the situation where you need to remove a stretch of unwanted DNA from your vector, e.g. to remove unwanted sequences or make an insertion. If you (read on...)

by Nick on June 4, 2009

No matter how many times you look at it, it's not going to change. You are planning your next cloning experiment, but there's a problem. The only restriction enzyme that cuts in a suitable position on your plasmid vector also, (read on...)

by Shoba on April 21, 2009

In my last article, I introduced Cell-Free Protein Synthesis. Today I want to talk about a major bottleneck in in vitro cell-free protein expression; low yield. Most often, paying attention to the important factors such as (read on...)

by Nick on April 20, 2009

After ligation, the method you use for desalting your sample prior to electroporation is critical, especially if your ligation is inefficient, according to a study by Schlaak et al [1]. Under standard electroporation conditions, (read on...)

by Paul on April 13, 2009

For the record, as well as loving Red Dwarf, I'm a huge fan of MacGyver, the TV secret agent who could build any device from everyday items found in the room. You name it...he could build it in 60 seconds or less using only the (read on...)

by Nick on February 19, 2009

There's nothing more frustrating that getting back junk data from a DNA sequencing  run. Especially when you are waiting for an important result, like confirmation of that clone you have been trying to get for the past three (read on...)

by Shoba on February 16, 2009

qRT-PCR (quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) is now the gold standard technique for mRNA detection and quantification, sensitive enough to enable quantification of RNA from a single cell. The reverse (read on...)

by Shoba on January 29, 2009

Transfection of eukaryotic cells is a routine but sometimes tricky procedure. There are several transfection reagents available on the market, but sometimes the old methods are the best. I find that the simplest, fastest and (read on...)