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Learn how Agile project management can improve clarity and structure in your biology research. This guide introduces four practical tools—iteration, time boxing, prioritization, and Kanban boards—with lab-based examples.
Making the jump from Word to LaTeX to prepare your scientific documents involves a steep learning curve. We’ve made the transition easier by collating the basic commands you need to know to format text in LaTeX, including bold, underlined, and italicized text, and creating itemized lists.
As biological datasets get larger and larger, more biologists are turning to cloud computing for their storage and analysis. This article explores the advantages of cloud computing for biology and lists some online services you can use for your projects.
Alkaline lysis is ideal when you need high-purity plasmid DNA for applications like cloning. Boiling lysis is a low-cost alternative suitable for routine screening tasks. However, it generally yields lower-purity DNA and is limited to smaller plasmids. This article breaks down the applications of the two approaches.
LaTeX is a powerful document preparation system that can give you beautifully typeset documents. But getting started using it isn’t the most intuitive process. This beginner’s guide gives you easy instructions on LaTeX document setup, layout, and how to deal with common syntax errors.
It’s easy to let organizing your lab book slide down your list of priorities. Read our guide to easy ways to keep your lab book up to date and organized.
Skepticism and inquiry might sound the same, but they are not. A skeptical outlook can induce negative bias, whereas inquiry lets you approach a question in an unbiased way. This article explains why you should embrace inquiry over skepticism and how.
Performing reproducible research is critical in science. This article discusses eight steps you can take to make your research more reproducible.
Liquid nitrogen isn’t just cool, it’s potentially deadly. We share our 10 tips for staying safe while working with liquid nitrogen.
A neglected pH meter means less reliable experiments, poor reproducibility, and your time wasted. So, learn how to use a pH meter correctly!
Autoclaving something that isn’t autoclavable is usually embarrassing, dangerous, or both! Read this simple guide to autoclavable materials in biology labs to demystify what you can and can’t autoclave.
Researchers must show the statistical accuracy, validity, and significance of their data. So here are two ways to compare two sets of data.
Keeping track of new literature can be a time-consuming process. Here are some helpful hints and tips to help you keep up to date.
No matter how small or large, chemical spills require immediate attention. Learn how to manage spills by following these 4 essential rules.
Facing hours of cell culture, or some other repetitive and mundane lab task? Why not cheer things up with a podcast or two! Discover our top 10 favorite science podcasts for researchers, from Sawbones to The Life Scientific.
Autofluorescence, background fluorescence in unstained cells or tissues, often interferes with microscopy clarity. The article outlines causes, such as natural fluorophores like NADH, and offers strategies like selecting distinct fluorophores and optimizing sample prep to minimize its impact and enhance image accuracy.
Spreadsheets for managing chemicals? That’s not the right way to organize your lab. This article explains a better way—registration systems. Learn what they are and how they offer a huge productivity boost on their own and when integrated with electronic lab notebooks.
This guide to troubleshooting microplate assays highlights different microplate features and reader settings and explains the best strategies for obtaining high-quality data.
Biological agents, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, are categorized into four biosafety levels (BSL), each indicating a different threat level. These levels increase progressively, with level one organisms posing the least risk and level four the greatest. This article details each biosafety level, explaining their necessity and providing examples of organisms handled at each level.
Accuracy and precision are critical for achieving reliable and reproducible results. Read on to discover what these terms mean and how to improve your accuracy and precision.
Responding poorly to criticism of your grant proposals could ruin your chances of getting funding. Apart from removing your emotional response to feedback, there are many things you can do to address criticisms of your proposals. This article breaks them down for you.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of setting self-applied limits on what we want to do and achieve. Discover the benefits of expanding your comfort zone to foster personal growth, resilience, and new experiences that enhance your life.
Read this guide for essential tips on choosing the right international PhD program. Learn about different funding options, course structures, and cultural considerations to ensure you make the best decision for your academic and personal growth.
Discover whether it’s better to build or buy the latest microscope technology for your lab. This article weighs the advantages of custom builds against the ease and reliability of purchasing from vendors, helping you make the best choice for your research needs.
Choosing the right system for scientific research involves understanding your specific needs, personal values, and desired outcomes. Learn practical steps to selecting the ideal system for reliable and desirable results.
Make your grant applications more convincing for reviewers to help secure funds by adopting these persuasive writing techniques.
Are you trying to prepare for an interview but not sure what sort of questions you’ll get asked? Check out our top 10 Postdoc interview questions to help you prepare.
Effective laboratory sterilization methods are essential for working with isolated cell lines. Read our guide to the top 6 sterilization techniques to banish those bugs.
Thinking of doing a PhD? Here are some essential considerations from a PhD graduate to help you decide whether or not getting a PhD is worth it.
It’s necessary to check pipette calibration every few months to ensure accuracy by dispensing the right volumes. This article explains how to perform pipette calibration yourself so you can ensure they are accurate and avoid the wait for their next service.
Do you hate it when you get into the lab ready to get stuff done and then find yourself spending the first 45 minutes of the day hunting for what you need? We do too. So read these 10 tips to organize your lab space for better productivity and spend less time hunting for stuff and more time doing research.
Working alone in the lab outside of regular hours poses unique challenges and risks. Our guide offers practical advice to ensure your safety and productivity during these solo sessions, emphasizing the importance of preparation, communication, and adherence to safety protocols.
A successful career in science is as much about the people as it is about the results. In this article, get tips from a successful scientist on what constitutes a healthy professional network and learn how to build one. From befriending writers to avoiding expertise mismatches, start working towards your career goals by reading this advice.
Keep your lab’s freeze dryer running smoothly with our expert tips on care and maintenance, including oil changes and vacuum leak fixes.
Gain insights into the flow of funding for scientific research. This article breaks down the funding landscape and explains the differences between government, industry, and foundation funding. Learn how navigating these sources can shape your career and accelerate your research endeavors.
Become an expert at getting your life science research funded with insights from a seasoned biomedical engineering researcher. Learn how to develop essential skills, such as confidence, independent thinking, consistent reading, effective writing, and embracing criticism in this essential guide.
A strong research interest statement can be the difference between being considered for a position and your application ending up in the bin. Check out these tips on how to make your statement stand out from the crowd.
Having trouble writing the discussion section for your scientific paper? Help is at hand. Read our do’s and don’ts to help you have your paper polished up in no time.
How do you measure how good you are as a scientist? One way is the h-index. Discover what this is, and learn about the pros and cons of using it to assess your scientific career.
By removing the word ‘because’ from your vocabulary, you can gain a newfound sense of freedom, creativity, and authority in your decisions. Learn to make choices without justifications and experience the world with a fresh set of eyes.
The eBook with top tips from our Researcher community.