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Archives

Image of oil and water to represent understanding the importance of the numerical aperture on a microscope objective
Microscopy and Imaging

That Other Number – The Meaning Of Numerical Aperture In Microscopy

ByCynthia Barber

Do you know what that NA number is on your objective? We walk you through what the numerical aperture is and why it’s important.

Read More That Other Number – The Meaning Of Numerical Aperture In MicroscopyContinue

An image of microscope objectives with a scientist's hands to represent common microscope objective abbreviations
Microscopy and Imaging

An Objective View: What do These Abbreviations Mean on Microscope Objectives?

ByMartin Wilson

There are a large number of microscope objective abbreviations relating to optical aberrations; here we’ll shed some light on some of the most common ones to get you up to speed in no time!

Read More An Objective View: What do These Abbreviations Mean on Microscope Objectives?Continue

Image of a mother feeding a baby to represent a researcher feeding yeast media
Cells and Model Organisms

Introduction to Yeast Media: How to Feed Your Fungus

ByElizabeth Gardner

Are you finding the variety of available yeast media overwhelming? Read our guide to understand what’s in each and which is right for your fungus.

Read More Introduction to Yeast Media: How to Feed Your FungusContinue

Image of a child counting using an abacus denoting the ease of counting cells using a hemocytometer
Cells and Model Organisms

Cell Counting with a Hemocytometer: As easy as 1, 2, 3…

ByYevgeniy Grigoryev

Do hemocytometers look scary and complicated with their multiple tiny squares, boxes, and grids? Take a look at our article and see how easy it actually is to use a hemocytometer.

Read More Cell Counting with a Hemocytometer: As easy as 1, 2, 3…Continue

Image of 'pac man' style character eating red dots to represent live imaging of phagocytosis
Microscopy and Imaging

Live Imaging of Phagocytosis: Your Simple Guide to Capturing the Action

ByJude Bain

Live imaging of phagocytosis helps capture the details of this dynamic process. Discover tips and tricks to visualizing this important cellular process.

Read More Live Imaging of Phagocytosis: Your Simple Guide to Capturing the ActionContinue

Image shows a laboratory with mass spectrometry facility to represent using mass spectrometry in biological research
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography Techniques

Mass Spectrometry in Biological Research – A Guide for Beginners

ByCarl Saxton

Mass spectrometry can feel intimidating. Read this easy-to-follow guide to demystify mass spectrometry and learn how it can help your research.

Read More Mass Spectrometry in Biological Research – A Guide for BeginnersContinue

A picture of an ice cream cone that has been dropped and started to melt to represent freezing and thawing cells
Cells and Model Organisms

Surviving the Big Chill: Freezing and Thawing Mammalian Cells in the Lab

ByDr Rebecca Tirabassi

Cryopreservation is crucial to the long-term maintenance of cells, so it’s important that you’re clued up on your freeze–thaw cycles. Check out our top tips for freezing and thawing cells.

Read More Surviving the Big Chill: Freezing and Thawing Mammalian Cells in the LabContinue

Image of a microscope and a computer showing the sample image to represent an explanation of the point spread function
Microscopy and Imaging | Zeiss

A Beginner’s Guide to The Point Spread Function

ByZEISS Microscopy

Learn how the Point Spread Function affects what you see through your microscope and discover what you can do to improve your images.

Read More A Beginner’s Guide to The Point Spread FunctionContinue

Scientist holding up alkaline pH test strip to represent alkaline lysis in the lab
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

Lab Basics: How The Alkaline Lysis Method Works

ByDr Nick Oswald

Alkaline lysis for plasmid isolation? That’s like the ABCs in a molecular biology lab. Read this detailed article to understand the process behind this common technique.

Read More Lab Basics: How The Alkaline Lysis Method WorksContinue

Image of amultiplex theatre to represent multiplex CRISPR experiments
Genomics and Epigenetics

Multiplex CRISPR Gene Editing: What You Need to Know

ByPatrick Miller-Rhodes

If you need a multi-gene knockout or large-scale genomic modification, or want reduced off-target effects, then multiplex CRISPR is for you!

Read More Multiplex CRISPR Gene Editing: What You Need to KnowContinue

Image of chalkboard with the words amino acids surrounded by health foods to juxtapose the topic of unnatural amino acids
Cloning and Expression

Unnatural Amino Acids: Essential Tools in Synthetic Biology and Your Research

ByHeinz Reiske

Discover what unnatural amino acids are, their applications, and how they can be used in your research in our beginner’s guide.

Read More Unnatural Amino Acids: Essential Tools in Synthetic Biology and Your ResearchContinue

Controlling Gene Expression with CRISPR Interference (CRISPRi)
Genomics and Epigenetics

Controlling Gene Expression with CRISPR Interference (CRISPRi)

ByThamarasee Jeewandara

CRISPR interference allows for the regulation of gene expression in vivo. Here’s a short guide to how it works.

Read More Controlling Gene Expression with CRISPR Interference (CRISPRi)Continue

A gymnast's hands covered in chalk holding a gymnastics bar to represent tips to prevent sweaty glove hands during lab work
Basic Lab Skills and Know-how

Get a Grip: Dealing with Sweaty Glove Hands

ByHaaris Safdari

Using gloves in the lab is necessary for safety but can result in the dreaded “sweaty glove hands”. Read our top tips on how to banish those sweaty palms for good (or for at least as long as it takes to do your experiment)!

Read More Get a Grip: Dealing with Sweaty Glove HandsContinue

An image of setting up a photography shoot to represent getting optimal conditions for live-cell imaging
Microscopy and Imaging

Optimal Conditions for Live-Cell Imaging

BySulov Saha

Live-cell imaging can bring a lot of clarity to cellular processes, but keeping your cells happy can be tricky. Read on to learn about 4 key parameters for achieving optimal conditions for live-cell imaging.

Read More Optimal Conditions for Live-Cell ImagingContinue

Microscopic image of paramecium and amoeba to represent live cell imaging techniques
Microscopy and Imaging | Lumenera

An Introduction to Live Cell Imaging

ByLumenera

Read on to learn more about live cell imaging, including how high rate microscopy can help you capture rapid cellular processes.

Read More An Introduction to Live Cell ImagingContinue

A gloved hand inserting PCR tubes into a thermocycler to represent answering the question how to get started with PCR
PCR, qPCR and qRT-PCR

What is PCR? The Beginner’s Guide

ByDr Jennifer Redig

If you need to copy, sequence, or quantify DNA, you need to know about PCR. Read our guide to the PCR process, and discover tips to help you avoid the most common PCR pitfalls.

Read More What is PCR? The Beginner’s GuideContinue

A picture of a dachshund dog wearing a pair of bat wings with a large plastic spider to represent the funniest Drosophila gene names
Fun Stuff

14 of the Funniest Fruit Fly Gene Names

ByShruti Iyer

Need a laugh? Check out our favorite Drosophila gene names.

Read More 14 of the Funniest Fruit Fly Gene NamesContinue

Cartoon of hands and DNA strand to represent calculating molecules in DNA
Basic Lab Skills and Know-how

How To Calculate The Number Of Molecules In Any Piece of DNA

ByDr. Karen O'Hanlon Cohrt

Messing up the initial calculations in your experiment is setting yourself up for failure. Here is a quick refresh on calculating the number of molecules in any DNA sample.

Read More How To Calculate The Number Of Molecules In Any Piece of DNAContinue

A stone staircase flanked by flowerpots to represent a step-by-step guide to qPCR primer design
PCR, qPCR and qRT-PCR

A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing qPCR Primers

ByNew England Biolabs

qPCR primer design is a bit of science, a bit of magic, and a little bit of luck. Here’s the science to help you design the best primers for your experiments.

Read More A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing qPCR PrimersContinue

Image of a colorful spring toy depicting coils in DNA plasmid preps to help undertand why you get 3 bands when running plasmid DNA on agarose gels
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

How to Identify Supercoils, Nicks and Circles in DNA Plasmid Preps using Gel Electrophoresis

ByDr Rebecca Tirabassi

Why do you get three bands when running uncut plasmid DNA on agarose gels. Discover the answer and how it can help improve your DNA plasmid preps.

Read More How to Identify Supercoils, Nicks and Circles in DNA Plasmid Preps using Gel ElectrophoresisContinue

Three shot glasses and a clear glass bottle containing clear alcoholic liquid to represent the ethanol grades that can be used in the lab
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

Which Grade of Ethanol Should I Use?

ByCristy Gelling

Want to know more about ethanol grades commonly used in the lab? We help you make sense of your flammables cabinet with our rundown of the ethanol grades typically used in molecular biology, as well as some important rules for how to use them correctly.

Read More Which Grade of Ethanol Should I Use?Continue

An unhappy looking man covered in soot and holding a cable with exposed wires to represent choosing between constant current or voltage in SDS-PAGE
Protein Expression and Analysis

Constant Current or Voltage in SDS-PAGE: The Great Debate

ByZandile Nare

It’s not always easy deciding whether to run electrophoresis at a constant voltage, current, or power. Here, we outline the differences to help you make an informed decision.

Read More Constant Current or Voltage in SDS-PAGE: The Great DebateContinue

Man holding a lens up to the light to represent lenses and objectives
Microscopy and Imaging

How History Shaped Modern Optical Microscopes, Part Two: Corrected Lenses and Objectives

ByMartin Wilson

Discover how chromatic and geometric imaging aberrations have been corrected over the last few centuries with the development of corrected lenses and objectives.

Read More How History Shaped Modern Optical Microscopes, Part Two: Corrected Lenses and ObjectivesContinue

A street sweeper sweeping leaves from a road to represent DNA clean-up
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

5 Ways to Clean Up A DNA Sample

ByDr Nick Oswald

Are you struggling with your DNA clean-up? Then check out our top five methods so you can pick the best option for your experiments.

Read More 5 Ways to Clean Up A DNA SampleContinue

Vintage microscope to represnet the history of simple and compound microscopes
Microscopy and Imaging

How History Shaped Modern Optical Microscopes, Part One: Simple and Compound Microscopes

ByMartin Wilson

Discover the history of simple and compound microscopes in this first of our two-part series on the history of microscopes.

Read More How History Shaped Modern Optical Microscopes, Part One: Simple and Compound MicroscopesContinue

A picture of the word "oops" to represent a mistake when aiming for accurate pipetting
Equipment Mastery and Hacks | Biotix

17 Ways to Stop Pipetting Errors From Ruining Your Experiments

ByBiotix

Pipetting errors getting you down? Learn how to avoid and correct errors that hurt your pipetting accuracy in this easy-to-follow article.

Read More 17 Ways to Stop Pipetting Errors From Ruining Your ExperimentsContinue

A picture of a man holding binoculars with a surprised expression to represent learning how to improve your PubMed searches
Taming the Literature

18+ Ways to Improve your PubMed Searches

ByCarrie Iwema

Are you getting the most out of your PubMed searches or are you wasting lots of time slogging through pages of results? We’ve compiled some top tips to help you refine your searches.

Read More 18+ Ways to Improve your PubMed SearchesContinue

Fingers "walking" up wooden blocks arranged as steps, representing the steps in Ct values from a qPCR experiment, analysed by double delta Ct analysis
PCR, qPCR and qRT-PCR

4 Easy Steps to Analyze Your qPCR Data Using Double Delta Ct Analysis

BySuganth Kannan

New to qPCR? Here’s a quick summary of one of the two most common analysis methods – double delta Ct analysis.

Read More 4 Easy Steps to Analyze Your qPCR Data Using Double Delta Ct AnalysisContinue

Image of a lumberjack cutting a tree to represent tissue sectioning tips
Microscopy and Imaging

Advanced Sectioning Techniques: How to Section Difficult Tissues

ByDr Jennifer Redig

Are you having problems with tissue sectioning? Follow these 10 tissue sectioning tips to create the perfect tissue section every time without stressing out.

Read More Advanced Sectioning Techniques: How to Section Difficult TissuesContinue

A picture of a scientist's hands holding a tablet with scientific notations surrounded by a microscope and scientific equipment to represent someone with a career in bioinformatics
Career Development and Networking

How to Become a Bioinformatician

ByAsmaa A. Abdelwahab

Interested in a career in bioinformatics? We’ve got the lowdown on the ways bioinformatics skills can be used, and the training you’ll need to pursue this career path.

Read More How to Become a BioinformaticianContinue

Image of vintage stereo as a play on words to represent a stereo microscope
Microscopy and Imaging

Stereo (Dissecting) Microscopes 101

BySteven Miller

Want to know about stereo microscopes? This article answers what a stereo microscope is, how it works and why it’s a great tool for biologists!

Read More Stereo (Dissecting) Microscopes 101Continue

Gloved hands of a researcher holding a Petri dish with green stained medium and surrounded by other stacked Petri dishes with red and yellow stains to represent someone identifying microbes
Cells and Model Organisms

Crash Course in Microbial Identification

ByDr. Karen O'Hanlon Cohrt

Need a crash course in microbial identification methods? Here we give you a rundown of the methods available for the identification of bacteria, yeast, or filamentous fungi to the species level.

Read More Crash Course in Microbial IdentificationContinue

A blurred photograph of an event exhibition to represent a scientific conference and someone presenting a scientific research poster
Writing, Publishing and Presenting

10 Tips on Writing a Research Poster

ByDr Nick Oswald

A scientific research poster can be a great tool for drawing people into a conversation at a conference. We’ve pulled together our 10 top tips to help you prep perfect posters.

Read More 10 Tips on Writing a Research PosterContinue

A model of Dr Who's police box Tardis on a white background to represent ways to use your Dr title for good and evil
Fun Stuff

10 Ways to Use Your “Dr” Title for Good and Evil

ByDr Nick Oswald

So you might be wondering why you bothered with all those years of failed experiments, committees, over-bearing supervisors, thesis writing, and thesis defending. Well, no matter where life takes you, you can now call yourself “Dr” whenever you want. And that can be more useful than you might think…

Read More 10 Ways to Use Your “Dr” Title for Good and EvilContinue

Lab bench with microscope and lots of different coloured reagents in flasks and test tubes to represent someone performing successful experiments
Organization and Productivity

8 Steps to More Successful Experiments

ByElena Bibikova

Performing successful experiments is a crucial skill for scientists. We’ve rounded up our top tips to help you achieve perfect procedures!

Read More 8 Steps to More Successful ExperimentsContinue

multicoloured cells imaged on a confocal microscope to illustrate how you can improve your confocal images
Microscopy and Imaging

Confocal Images: Expert Tips for Your Hour of Need!

ByDr Nick Oswald

Getting publication perfect confocal images can be tricky. If you are struggling or just want to ensure you’re capturing the best images possible, check out our top 7 tips for confocal imaging.

Read More Confocal Images: Expert Tips for Your Hour of Need!Continue

light being defracted by a prism to represent optimizing the refractive index in confocal microscopy
Microscopy and Imaging

Resolution and Refractive Index: Set-up Your Confocal Wisely!

ByMelanie Laederich

Get the best out of your time on the microscope by understanding the refractive index of your experiment to optimize and increase your resolution.

Read More Resolution and Refractive Index: Set-up Your Confocal Wisely!Continue

Image of a iced coffee (Frappe) as a play on words for the microscopy technique FRAP
Microscopy and Imaging

Fun With FRAP! Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching for Confocal Microscopy

ByCatriona Paul

If you’re thinking FRAP is short for frappuccino then you need to read this article. Discover the history, how it works, and why you’d want it in your confocal toolbox

Read More Fun With FRAP! Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching for Confocal MicroscopyContinue

Resume and pen on a table to represent someone applying for alternative careers for scientists
Career Development and Networking

Alternative Careers For Scientists

BySuzanne Kennedy

Want to leave the lab but not sure what alternative career options are available? Our guide can help you decide what to do after hanging up your lab coat.

Read More Alternative Careers For ScientistsContinue

A board full of blank multicoloured sticky notes to represent planning your scientific paper
Writing, Publishing and Presenting

Step-by-Step Planning Before You Write

ByMichael LaRocca

The prospect of writing an entire paper can be daunting. Our guide to planning a paper will help you break the project down into manageable steps.

Read More Step-by-Step Planning Before You WriteContinue

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