DNA plasmid isolation is integral to biology as it’s used in many functions. This includes DNA sequencing, cloning, in vitro translation, gene therapy, blotting, and more. However, while the process of DNA plasmid isolation is a crucial aspect of biology, it also comes with its challenges. In plasmid isolation, it is up to the technician [...]
Colony counting determines how many microbial colonies are growing on cell culture media, such as agar plates. Automated colony counters are a newer technology that uses digital images and machine learning algorithms to provide a high-throughput alternative to manual colony counting. Since colony counting has applications ranging from product testing to cancer research, automated colony [...]
Plant synthetic biology utilizes existing nutritive plant value to identify biological pathways and generate alternative resources of food, medicines, and other products. These redesigned organisms have a different genetic code consisting of longer DNA matter as compared to the original plant. For example, the common aspirin's main ingredient, salicin, was derived from salicylic acid extract [...]
The calibration of the pH meter using an SOP (standard operating procedure/protocol) is highly important and serves a very important purpose - keeping the data that the electrodes generate within specifications. pH determinations need several measurement, calibration, and maintenance processes. If an electrode is not properly calibrated, it can lead to inaccurate readings. These small [...]
The Drug Discovery Process ELISA stands for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It is an evaluation technique for immobilizing an antigen to a solid surface to determine peptide, protein, antibody, or hormone concentrations. The procedure uses an automated ELISA microplate reader in combination with a series of microplates—a plate with 96 indentations, or "wells"—that act as tiny [...]
Synthetic biology is a new life science label for processes like Protein Engineering and Genetic Engineering that apply engineering design principles to molecular biology to create new biological parts and systems. In drug discovery, synthetic biology creates a world of possibilities for efficient and effective medical treatment. The future of synthetic biology will incorporate synthetic [...]
Colony picking involves removing a sample from a healthy microbe colony after culturing a microbe sample on a plate. Single-cell colony picking means isolating a single microbe cell from a cultured colony. The growing fields of genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics rely on isolating and studying single cells. Learn more about the tools and methods behind [...]
Precision and accuracy are imperative regarding liquid sample handling in the lab. Using useful tools along with the best instruments available can streamline the automated liquid handling process. There should be high standards of training for protocol and procedures in place with a concentration on safety in the lab. Read on to learn more about [...]
Synthetic biology is a new field of bio-engineering in which scientists design new biological systems. Think of synthetic biology as scientists applying engineering principles to molecular biology and biochemistry. It’s a cycle of designing, building, testing, and redesigning new biological parts, called bioparts. The term “synthetic biology” was coined in 1974 by renowned geneticist Waclaw [...]
Bacterial transformation can also be performed using electroporation, but this method is less common. It runs on the same principle as heat shock protocol, but electricity is used instead of heating the bacteria. Electroporation sometimes results in more transformed colonies, but not always. Once transformation has occurred, it’s time to pick colonies after transformation. Colony [...]
