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Techniques

Image of blurred light to represent signals from DNA microarrays
Genomics and Epigenetics

Introduction to DNA Microarrays

ByYevgeniy Grigoryev

This is the first installment in the DNA microarray series where I will introduce the technology and explain the basics.

Read More Introduction to DNA MicroarraysContinue

Cartoon of bacteria to represent choosing bacterial strains for research
Protein Expression and Analysis

Choosing the Right Bacterial Strains for Your Lab

ByGeorge Yates

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 More Choosing the Right Bacterial Strains for Your LabContinue

Image of layered cocktail to represent the layers following phenol-chloroform extraction
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

Practical Application of Phenol-Chloroform Extraction

ByJode Plank

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 More Practical Application of Phenol-Chloroform ExtractionContinue

DNA in a glass bottle representing Phenol extraction of DNA
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

The Basics: How Phenol Extraction of DNA Works

ByDr Nick Oswald

Phenol extraction is a common method for removing proteins from nucleic acids. Discover how phenol extraction of DNA works.

Read More The Basics: How Phenol Extraction of DNA WorksContinue

An image of different colours to represent separation of molecules in ion-exchange chromatography
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography Techniques

All Charged Up: The Basics of Ion-Exchange Chromatography

ByElizabeth McSweeney

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 More All Charged Up: The Basics of Ion-Exchange ChromatographyContinue

Man estimating size of object to refelct using a gel filtration chromatogram to estimate molecular weight
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography Techniques

Using a Gel Filtration Chromatogram to Estimate Molecular Weight

ByUsha Nair

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 More Using a Gel Filtration Chromatogram to Estimate Molecular WeightContinue

Women holding a broken electricity cable looking like she's been electrocuted to represent the competency of electrocompetent E. coli
Protein Expression and Analysis

DIY Electrocompetent E. coli

ByDr Nick Oswald

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 More DIY Electrocompetent E. coliContinue

Young scientist raising hands to reflect what the heck pun about HEK293 cells
Cells and Model Organisms

What the HEK? A Beginner’s Guide to HEK293 Cells 

ByRebecca Roberts

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 More What the HEK? A Beginner’s Guide to HEK293 Cells Continue

Image of fireflys in a forest as the enzyme used in the luciferase reporter assay comes from fireflys
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

The Luciferase Reporter Assay: How it Works

ByFarida Khan

Discover how the luciferase reporter assay works and how to get starting using it in your research.

Read More The Luciferase Reporter Assay: How it WorksContinue

An image of two lengths of copper wire, one of which is being cut with wire cutters by an electrician, to represent alternative splicing
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

What is Alternative Splicing, and Why Is It Important?

ByYevgeniy Grigoryev

Need to brush up on your alternative splicing knowledge? We’re here to help with our guide to this splicing mechanism.

Read More What is Alternative Splicing, and Why Is It Important?Continue

Image of woman in front of an archway to represent gateway cloning
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

Essential Factors for Successful Gateway Cloning

BySuryatapa Ghosh

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 More Essential Factors for Successful Gateway CloningContinue

image of fluorescent lights to represent choosing a fluorescent protein
Microscopy and Imaging

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Fluorescent Protein

ByAdrienne Huntress

Discover the critical considerations when choosing a fluorescent protein, the key features of those most commonly used, and why newer might be better.

Read More The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Fluorescent ProteinContinue

Image of two hands shaking to represent the physcial interaction of proteins in a quantitative yeast two-hybrid assay
Protein Expression and Analysis

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Quantitative Beta-galactosidase Assay for Y2H Screening

BySafia Mahabub Sauty

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 More A Step-by-Step Guide to the Quantitative Beta-galactosidase Assay for Y2H ScreeningContinue

A wooden block with a letter t in front of several other blurred wooden blocks to represent the 3 Ts of introducing foreign DNA
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

The Three Ts of Introducing Foreign DNA: Transfection, Transduction, and Transformation

ByJill Muhling

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 More The Three Ts of Introducing Foreign DNA: Transfection, Transduction, and TransformationContinue

Image of teddy bears in bubbles as a funny wa to represent the need to remove excess detergent from membrane proteins
Protein Expression and Analysis

Beat Back the Bubbles: 6 Ways to Remove Excess Detergent from Your Membrane Protein Sample

ByThomas Warwick

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 More Beat Back the Bubbles: 6 Ways to Remove Excess Detergent from Your Membrane Protein SampleContinue

Image of raindrop on a leaf to represent DNA precipitation
DNA / RNA Manipulation and Analysis

DNA Precipitation Protocol: Ethanol vs. Isopropanol

ByDr Nick Oswald

Discover what you need for successful DNA precipitation and how to choose between ethanol and isopropanol solvents.

Read More DNA Precipitation Protocol: Ethanol vs. IsopropanolContinue

Image of a child doing science. They are amazed at finding out how SDS-PAGE Works
Protein Expression and Analysis

How SDS-PAGE Works

ByDr Nick Oswald

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 More How SDS-PAGE WorksContinue

Image of a mechanic thinking before fixing a car to represent thinking before performing histology fixation
Microscopy and Imaging

An Introduction To Fixation For Histology: Think Before You Fix!

ByMike Millar

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.

Read More An Introduction To Fixation For Histology: Think Before You Fix!Continue

A bookshelf of old books to represent the history of histology
Microscopy and Imaging

A (very) Short History of Histology

ByMartin Wilson

Discover the history of histology, from the first mention of a cell in 1665 to the identification and development of various stains.

Read More A (very) Short History of HistologyContinue

Image of a girl surround by traps to represent avoiding histology mistakes
Microscopy and Imaging

Avoid These Pitfalls: Seven (Not So Deadly) Histology Sins

ByDr Jennifer Redig

Discover seven common histology mistakes and how you can avoid making them when performing your experiments.

Read More Avoid These Pitfalls: Seven (Not So Deadly) Histology SinsContinue

A cartoon depiction of five smiling cells standing next to height charts to represent assessing bacterial culture growth using OD600 measurements
Cells and Model Organisms

Is Your Bacterial Culture Still Growing? A Primer on OD­600 Measurements

ByAdrienne Huntress

How do you know when your bacterial culture is “done” growing? Read on to learn how to monitor bacterial growth using OD600 measurements, and how to figure out when you should harvest your culture.

Read More Is Your Bacterial Culture Still Growing? A Primer on OD­600 MeasurementsContinue

An image of salt crystals to depict the crystallization of protein–DNA complexes
Analytical Chemistry and Chromatography Techniques

Crystallize Your Protein–DNA Complex by Optimizing These Key Parameters

ByThomas Warwick

Looking to engineer a crystal? Here are some key parameters to optimize to give you the maximum chance of success at crystallizing protein DNA–complexes.

Read More Crystallize Your Protein–DNA Complex by Optimizing These Key ParametersContinue

A multicoloured marble-effect background created with paint to represent immunohistochemistry basics
Innova Biosciences | Protein Expression and Analysis

Getting Started with Immunohistochemistry

ByInnova Biosciences

Immunohistochemistry isn’t just a useful clinical tool, it also has great applications as a basic research tool. We’ll walk you through the immunohistochemistry basics to get you off to a flying start.

Read More Getting Started with ImmunohistochemistryContinue

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

An image of a man punching liquid to depict improving protein expression using osmotic shock
Cloning and Expression

Improving the Expression of Insoluble and Inactive Proteins Using Osmotic Shock

ByThomas Warwick

Discover a better way to improve the expression of your insoluble and inactive proteins using osmotic shock.

Read More Improving the Expression of Insoluble and Inactive Proteins Using Osmotic ShockContinue

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

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 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

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