Techniques
Protein Structure Analysis: Extra Information in a Protein Data Bank File
Getting to know your protein’s structure can help uncover deeper insights and inspire new hypotheses. Discover how protein data bank files can help.
Read MoreWhy Is SDS-PAGE Run Vertically? Here are 3 Great Answers
Why is SDS-PAGE run vertically? Agarose gel electrophoresis is run horizontally, so why not SDS-PAGE? Here are 3 great answers.
Read MoreTotal RNA Extraction: Easy Methods for Getting High-Purity RNA
Discover ways to perform total RNA extraction from TRIzol to kit-based and even old-school methods.
Read MoreAn Introduction to Circular Dichroism Part 2: Circular Dichroism Practice
Circular dichroism is a type of spectroscopy that can tell you the type and percentage of secondary structure units in a protein sample. Here are 5 handy pointers on best circular dichroism practice to set up your experiment properly.
Read MoreAn Introduction to Circular Dichroism Part 1: Circular Dichroism Theory
Circular dichroism is a type of spectroscopy that can tell you the type and percentage of secondary structure units in a protein sample. This article will take you through circular dichroism theory and some of its applications.
Read MoreA Simple SDS-PAGE Gel Recipe and 10-Step Casting Protocol for Perfect Gels
SDS-PAGE is the technique that unites life scientists. We all perform it during our research to separate protein analytes and, therefore, we all need a good SDS-PAGE gel recipe.
Read More5 Protein Crystallization Seeding Techniques for Bigger and Better Crystals
Protein crystals are crucial for structure solution via X-ray crystallography but are notoriously hard to grow. We’ve got you covered with 5 clever protein crystallization seeding methods to grow impressive protein crystals.
Read MoreA Protein Renaturation Toolkit: 21 Tips and Tricks for Refolding Proteins
Expressing your protein of interest but not sure if it’s properly folded or struggling with inclusion bodies? Read on to discover advice and tips for battling inclusion bodies and refolding proteins
Read MoreProtein Staining Methods: An Overview of 3 of the Best
There are several great protein staining methods, but how do you pick the one that’s appropriate to your intended application? Read on to find out.
Read MoreFlow Cytometry Gone Viral: Introducing Flow Virometry
Do you want to know about a cool way to detect and tell the difference between virus particles? Then read on to discover flow virometry!
Read MoreScanning Electron Microscopy: 6 SEM Sample Preparation Pointers for Successful Imaging
Discover 6 critical scanning electron microscopy sample preparation points you need to know to get the best out of your SEM.
Read MoreMeltdown: A Hot Introduction to the Thermal Shift Assay
The interaction of proteins with ligands is an important phenomenon. Learn how to detect these interactions (and much more) using the thermal shift assay. In this article, we’ve got you covered with the basic theory and an easy protocol too.
Read MoreProtease Inhibitors 101: How They Work and How to Use Them
Protease inhibitors are a requirement in many lab experiments. In this article, we’ll take you through how protease inhibitors work, why we need them, and how to use them correctly and safely.
Read MoreHomology Modeling in the World of Proteins
Homology modeling is a powerful tool that enables you to predict protein structures. But how do you do it? Read on to find out.
Read MoreHow to Make Your Own Chemically Competent Cells
We’ll show you how to make a DIY stock of chemically competent E. coli, the workhorse in the molecular biology laboratory.
Read MoreLaemmli Buffer: What Is It for Anyway?
Laemmli buffer is used almost every day by life since researchers. But what do all those components actually do? Find out in this handy article
Read More5 Easy Ways to Tell Salt and Protein Crystals Apart
How do you make sure that the crystals you have grown are of your target protein? Can you tell salt and protein crystals apart without using X-ray diffraction? Yes, you can. Read on to discover five easy ways to distinguish between salt and protein crystals.
Read MoreXeno Nucleic Acids: Essential Tools in Synthetic Biology and Your Research
We’re all familiar with DNA and RNA. But have you heard of xeno nucleic acids (XNAs)? Read on to find out how they can be applied in biological research, and how you can start using them in your experiments.
Read MoreHow DNA Extraction Kits Work in the Lab
Understanding how DNA extraction kits work is the key to troubleshooting your extraction issues.
Read MoreLight-up RNA Aptamers: Illuminating the World of RNA
Discover how you can visualize that notoriously difficult molecule, RNA using light-up RNA aptamers (LURAs).
Read MoreIntroduction to DNA Microarrays
This is the first installment in the DNA microarray series where I will introduce the technology and explain the basics.
Read MoreChoosing the Right Bacterial Strains for Your Lab
Whether you’re simply seeking competent E. coli for a transformation experiment or building a panel intended for a whole project, it’s vital that you pick the right strain for your experiment. Find out more in our complete guide to choosing bacterial strains.
Read MorePractical Application of Phenol-Chloroform Extraction
Are you struggling with your phenol-chloroform extraction or just looking to maximize the nucleic acid you retrieve? Then read our expert advice to improve your technique.
Read MoreThe Basics: How Phenol Extraction of DNA Works
Phenol extraction is a common method for removing proteins from nucleic acids. Discover how phenol extraction of DNA works.
Read MoreAll Charged Up: The Basics of Ion-Exchange Chromatography
Ion-exchange chromatography is used to separate and purify proteins based on net charge at a particular pH. Here are the basics about this technique.
Read MoreTissue Processing For Histology: What Exactly Happens?
Tissue processing for histology is a key step between fixation and embedding. We take you through the steps of tissue processing in this simple guide.
Read MoreUsing a Gel Filtration Chromatogram to Estimate Molecular Weight
Do you need a way to estimate the molecular weight of a sample or protein? We walk you through one simple solution using a gel filtration chromatogram.
Read MoreThe Basics of Running a Chromatography Column
Are you preparing to run your first column chromatography experiment? Here are some basics that you should know before you use that precious sample.
Read MoreDIY Electrocompetent E. coli
Making good quality electrocompetent E. coli is very easy. One morning’s work (with a bit of work ahead of time) is all it takes.
Read MoreWhat the HEK? A Beginner’s Guide to HEK293 Cells
HEK293 cells are one of the most commonly used cell lines. But what are they? Why should you use them? And what does the ‘293’ mean?
Read MoreThe Luciferase Reporter Assay: How it Works
Discover how the luciferase reporter assay works and how to get starting using it in your research.
Read MoreWhat is Alternative Splicing, and Why Is It Important?
Need to brush up on your alternative splicing knowledge? We’re here to help with our guide to this splicing mechanism.
Read MoreEssential Factors for Successful Gateway Cloning
Want to use Gateway cloning or having trouble using this technology? Find out how it works and get helpful tips to increase your success.
Read MoreThe Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Fluorescent Protein
Discover the critical considerations when choosing a fluorescent protein, the key features of those most commonly used, and why newer might be better.
Read MoreA Step-by-Step Guide to the Quantitative Beta-galactosidase Assay for Y2H Screening
Want to know not only if your proteins bind but quantify the interaction? We walk you through how to perform a quantitative yeast two-hybrid assay.
Read MoreThe Three Ts of Introducing Foreign DNA: Transfection, Transduction, and Transformation
Do you know your transfections from your transductions? We explain the differences between three of the most commonly used ways of introducing foreign DNA.
Read MoreBeat Back the Bubbles: 6 Ways to Remove Excess Detergent from Your Membrane Protein Sample
Excess detergent in your membrane proteins samples can cause you serious headaches. We’ve got you covered with 6 ways you can remove excess detergent from membrane proteins.
Read MoreDNA Precipitation Protocol: Ethanol vs. Isopropanol
Discover what you need for successful DNA precipitation and how to choose between ethanol and isopropanol solvents.
Read MoreHow SDS-PAGE Works
Knowing how SDS-PAGE works means that you can troubleshoot any issues in your experiment and tweak the setup to get publication-worthy figures. Find out how it works here.
Read MoreAn Introduction To Fixation For Histology: Think Before You Fix!
How you fix your tissue or cells can affect your results, for better or for worse. Discover the key points to think about before undertaking your histology fixation.
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