Mentors at Your Benchside

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #87 — Selecting the right blood collection tubes for your experiment is crucial. But do you know what tubes to use for which type of blood sample? In this episode, we cover the nuances of choosing the appropriate blood collection tubes, a choice that hinges largely on whether you're aiming to collect serum or plasma samples. Understand the vital role that different tubes play in either fostering or preventing blood clotting and how these subtle differences can significantly impact the outcomes of your experiments. [1] Whether you are venturing into the world of hematology microscopy, exploring genetic material, or identifying circulating biomarkers, choosing the correct tube can be a game-changer. Download our handy poster to illuminate the intricacies of plasma and serum tubes and how the type of tube you choose aligns with your scientific objectives. [2] Resources: 1. Blood Collection Tubes: How to Pick the Correct One. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/23701/choosing-the-right-blood-collection-tubes/ 2. Poster. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/blood-collection-tube-chart/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #86 — qPCR primer design is a bit of science, a bit of magic, and a little bit of luck. In this episode, we cover the science of qPCR primer design, a cornerstone in conducting successful qPCR or RT-qPCR assays for gene expression analysis. [1] Get top tips and learn why dedicating time to crafting high-quality primers can save your experiment from poor data and resource wastage. [2] We guide you through utilizing popular tools like NCBI's Primer-BLAST for your qPCR primer designs, alongside introducing alternative online resources to aid in your experimentation journey. [3] Whether you're beginning your research journey or looking to hone your skills further, this episode promises to equip you with the knowledge to navigate the complex yet captivating world of qPCR primer design proficiently. Resources: 1. A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing qPCR Primers. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/10041/designing-qpcr-primers/ 2. 10 Tips for Consistent qPCR. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/1118/10-tips-for-consistent-real-time-pcr-rtpcr/ 3. NCBI tool Primer-BLAST. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/tools/primer-blast/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #85 — Working with living cells is a tricky business, and tiny fluctuations in environmental conditions can affect their physiology and impact your experiments. Or worse, it can lead to their death. Game over! Passaging your cells involves removing them from their growth medium to transfer them to fresh vessels with fresh media. In this episode, learn how to passage adherent and suspension cells while minimizing the impact on them. See the different passaging strategies you can adopt and decide which ones are right for you! Check out the corresponding online article for handy tables and figures. [1] Learn all about cell confluency and why it matters [2] and explore the critical components of cell culture media. [3] Resources: 1. How To Passage Cells in Culture. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13680/how-to-passage-cells/ 2. How Confluent Are Your Cells? A Beginner’s Guide to Measuring Cell Culture Confluency. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/63887/cell-confluency/ 3. What’s in Your Cell Culture Medium? Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/37034/cell-culture-medium/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #84 — Every experiment starts by preparing some buffer solutions. And every buffer solution starts with weighing out some compounds on an analytical balance. But these essential yet sensitive pieces of lab equipment are prone to measurement drift—meaning you could be weighing out different amounts every time you use one. In this episode, get three easy tips to avoid measurement drift and learn some reliability testing methods to check your lab balance and prepare solutions with confidence. Check out the full online article here [1] and read our essential guide to cleaning and caring for lab balances. [2] Plus, check out these eight steps you can take to improve lab accuracy and precision. [3] Resources: 1. 3 Easy Tips for Avoiding Measurement Drift in Analytical Balances. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/33245/drift-measurements-analytical-balances/ 2. How to Clean and Calibrate Your Lab Balance. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/24193/how-to-clean-and-calibrate-your-lab-balance/ 3. How to Measure and Improve Lab Accuracy and Precision. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/55470/accuracy-and-precision/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #83 — Chemically competent cells are a key resource in molecular biology labs. But do you really understand what is meant by chemically competent? In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside, we explain the science behind them and share how you can make your own stocks, saving you money and avoiding nasty surprises when someone forgets to reorder stocks. Be sure to visit the original article for helpful diagrams and tables, [1] download our free chemically competent cells cheat sheet for a handy print protocol, [2] and learn how to make your own electrocompetent cells. [3] Resources: 1. How to Make Your Own Chemically Competent Cells. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/30145/chemically-competent-cells/ 2. Bitesize Bio's Chemically Competent Cells Protocol. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/chemically-competent-cells-protocol/ 3. DIY Electrocompetent E. coli. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/969/diy-electrocompetent-e-coli/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #82 — Did you know that most centrifuge accidents result from user error and improper centrifuge care? While proper balancing of samples is important, it is not the only thing you need to be aware of when using your centrifuge. In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside, we give you 5 tips to help ensure your centrifuge keeps spinning. Read the full article to get the formula for finding the real maximum speed to use based on a solution’s density. [1] Need to use an ultracentrifuge? These beasts should be respected, but there is no need to be petrified of them; just read our tips on using an ultracentrifuge safely. [2] Finally, for more advice on using centrifuges, be sure to watch the on-demand webinar from Eppendorf on Essentials in Centrifugation to get informed on how centrifuges work, practical tips and tricks, and critical safety information. [3] Resources: 1. How to Keep Your Centrifuge Alive: 5 Easy Tips. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/31550/keep-centrifuge-alive/ 2. Respect the Ultra. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/4251/respect-the-ultra/ 3. Essentials in Centrifugation - Better Safe than Sorry! (Webinar). Available on-demand: https://events.bitesizebio.com/essentials-in-centrifugation-1/join

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #81 — You’re probably aware of the two main types of restriction cloning (sticky-end and blunt-end cloning), but do you know the difference? And do you know how to do both? In this episode, we share what blunt-end cloning is, how it works, and give you tips and tricks for performing blunt-end cloning. Visit the original article for detailed diagrams and helpful tables, [1] brush up on how DNA ligase works, [2] and reacquaint yourself with the different DNA polymerases. [3] You can also get help to improve your blunt end ligations, [4] and discover the magic of TA cloning. [5] Resources: 1. A Beginner’s Guide to How Blunt-End Cloning Works. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/45131/a-beginners-guide-to-how-blunt-end-cloning-works/ 2. DNA Ligation: How it Works & 6 Top Tips. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/10279/the-basics-how-does-dna-ligation-work/ 3. Get To Know Your DNA Polymerases. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/24551/get-to-know-your-dna-polymerases/ 4. 10 ways to improve blunt-end ligations. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/19149/7-ways-to-improve-blunt-end-ligations/ 5. Ta-Da! The Magic of Taq and TA Cloning. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/19709/ta-da-the-magic-of-taq-and-ta-cloning/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #80 — Dive into the fascinating world of histology as we explore the basics of Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, a cornerstone technique in tissue study. [1] Whether you're a budding biologist or just curious about cellular structures, this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside is your introductory guide to the history of H&E staining, its mechanism of action, and the structures it effectively stains. Discover how the positive charge of hematoxylin stains nucleic acids blue, and how the negatively charged eosin brings out the pink in proteins. And, if you want to go beyond hematoxylin and eosin staining, why not download our free histological stains poster and brighten up your lab? It lists common stains, the color they stain tissues, and some useful notes! [2] Resources: 1. A Beginner’s Guide to Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13400/a-beginners-guide-to-haematoxylin-and-eosin-staining/ 2. Bitesize Bio's Histological Stains Poster. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/histological-stains-poster/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #79 — Are you struggling to keep your proteins "happy" and active for your experiments? In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside, we dive into the five critical elements you need to design the ideal protein purification buffer: pH, the buffer system, salt concentration, reducing agents, and stabilizing additives. [1] Learn how buffers work, [2] and how to navigate the delicate balance of these factors to prevent protein aggregation and keep your purified proteins soluble and active. [3] Tune in for a simplified guide to mastering your protein purification buffer. Resources: 1. 5 Ingredients for the Perfect Protein Purification Buffer. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/7893/how-to-design-the-perfect-protein-purification-buffer/ 2. How Do Buffers Work? Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/8478/how-do-buffers-work/ 3. The Definitive Guide to pH, pKa, and pI. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/9425/what-is-ph-pka-pi/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #78 — Want to visualize if your proteins interact in live cells? FRET is the answer. In this Mentors at Your Benchside episode, we explain how FRET works, why it's great for studying protein–protein interactions, and why it is not actually named Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer. Visit the original article to see helpful diagrams, [1] brush up on how fluorescent molecules work, [2] and read up on how to measure FRET for the different methods and practical tips for choosing FRET pairs. [3] Resources: 1. How FRET Works: A Guide to Visualizing Protein Interactions. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/23012/how-fret-works/ 2. How Fluorescent Molecules Work. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/32973/fluorescent-molecules/ 3. How to Measure FRET. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/23295/how-to-measure-fret/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #77 — Have you ever thought about accessibility in science? We don’t always present our science in ways that are accessible to everyone. Nor is lab-based science always accessible. In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside, we explore what accessibility is and highlight how we can all make science more accessible and inclusive. Visit the original article for helpful resources and to revisit the key definitions. [1] Make your presentations more accessible using the color blindness simulator, [2] the accessible color pallets, [3] and the list of accessible fonts. [4] Resources: 1. Accessibility in Science: How Can We Make Science More Accessible? Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/65863/accessibility-in-science/ 2. Coblis —Color Blindness Simulator. Available at: https://www.color-blindness.com/coblis-color-blindness-simulator/ 3. Coloring for Colorblindness: Color Palette. Available at: https://davidmathlogic.com/colorblind/#%23D81B60-%231E88E5-%23FFC107-%23004D40 4. My favorite free fonts for print disabilities. Available at: https://www.perkins.org/resource/my-eight-favorite-free-fonts-print-disabilities/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #76 — Do you know how the first cells were identified? Or who discovered them? What about why they are called cells? Discover the fascinating history in this enlightening Mentors At Your Benchside episode. Visit the original article for a timeline of cell biology, [1] discover the most commonly used cell lines, [2] and find out why HeLa cells are surrounded by controversy. [3] Resources: 1. History of Cell Biology. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/166/history-of-cell-biology/ 2. Top 5 of the Most Commonly Used Cell Lines. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/33473/top-5-of-the-most-commonly-used-cell-lines/ 3. The Story Behind Your Cell Culture. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/7647/the-story-behind-your-cell-culture/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #75 — Counting your cultured cells is vital to seeding the right density for your experiments, harvesting an appropriate amount of downstream experiments, preparing cells for flow cytometry, and more. Luckily it's pretty easy with a hemocytometer. In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside, we talk you through the four steps of counting cells using a hemocytometer, including best practices so your count is accurate. Visit the original article for helpful images of the hemocytometer grid, [1] read up on why cell counting is so important, [2] and get your free cell culture posters, including a handy hemocytometer poster. [3] Resources: 1. Cell Counting with a Hemocytometer: As easy as 1, 2, 3… Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13687/cell-counting-with-a-hemocytometer-easy-as-1-2-3/ 2. A Numbers Game: the ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of Counting Cells. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/22758/a-numbers-game-the-how-and-why-of-counting-your-cells/ 3. Bitesize Bio's Handy Cell Culture Posters. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/cell-culture-posters/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #74 — Understanding how a technique works make it simpler to troubleshoot when things go wrong in your experiments. Learn how alkaline lysis works in this short and simple step-by-step run-through of the process. Check out the original article for links to helpful resources, [1] discover five ways to clean up a DNA sample, [2] and get tips on preparing your vectors for gene cloning. [3] Resources: 1. Lab Basics: How The Alkaline Lysis Method Works. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/180/the-basics-how-alkaline-lysis-works/ 2. 5 Ways to Clean Up A DNA Sample. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/142/5-ways-to-clean-up-a-dna-sample/ 3. 5 Tips on Vector Preparation for Gene Cloning. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13500/cloning-tips-vector-prep/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #73 — PCR is a fundamental technique all biologists rely on, and, for qPCR, we can construct a standard curve that tells us how good or bad our primers are. In this episode, learn all about qPCR standard curves, what they tell you about your primers, and what to try if something doesn't look correct on your standard curve. Check out the corresponding online article for an example qPCR curve. [1] For more PCR essentials, download our free eBook that explains everything you need to know. [2] And to drill specifically into the efficiency of your PCR, read our article on determining qPCR efficiency. [3] Resources: 1. The qPCR Standard Curve: The Key to Good qPCR Data. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/31470/obligate-qpcr-standard-curve/ 2. The Fundamentals of qPCR and RT-qPCR. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/the-fundamentals-of-qpcr-and-rt-qpcr/ 3. Important Considerations for Determining qPCR Efficiency. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/3177/determining-qpcr-efficiency/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #72 — Research requires imagination and strategy, and helpful distractions can give us the mental rest we need to recharge. Fun hobbies for scientists can provide inspiration, creativity, fitness, articulacy, and a much-needed break. Discover our top 10 hobbies for scientists, and find a new hobby that could also benefit your research. Visit the original article for links to related resources [1] and discover why creativity is so important in science. [2] For more helpful tips to boost your research, read our article on how to give an engaging talk [3] or take our course on critical thinking. [4] Resources: 1. 10 Fun Hobbies for Scientists. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/74251/hobbies-for-scientists/ 2. Creativity in Science: How a Good Imagination Can Help Your Research. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/63742/creativity-in-science/ 3. How to Give a Great Scientific Talk and Engage Your Audience. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/29880/great-scientific-talk/ 4. How to Critically Review a Scientific Manuscript. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/courses/critical-review/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #71 — A good histology slide can give you beautiful, revealing microscope images of your precious tissue samples. But what goes into preparing slides for histology? Whether you're new to the game, have only ever sent your samples off for slide preparation, or need a refresher, this episode explains how histology slides are prepared. Check out the corresponding article for links to related histology resources. [1] Plus, learn about the different fixes for histology [2] and the various ways you can section tissues. [3] Plus, check out our histology hub for more histology content, from free posters and guides to articles and a jargon-busting glossary of the common terms. [4] Resources: 1. How Histology Slides Are Prepared. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13398/how-histology-slides-are-prepared/ 2. 4 Fixatives for Histology and Cytometry. Perfect Your Preservation. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/22141/fixation-and-flow-cytometry/ 3. The Perfect Slice: Preparing Tissue Samples For IHC. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13396/the-perfect-slice-preparing-tissue-samples-for-ihc-2/ 4. Histology Made Simple: An Easy Guide for Bioscientists. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/histology/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #70 — Sterilization is a critical technique in the biology lab. It keeps your cell lines free from contamination, allows safe disposal of used items, and prevents breakouts of phage! In this episode, we discuss six sterilization techniques and explain how they work. Read the original article for additional resources on basic lab techniques. [1] If you're curious about how UV light damages DNA, read this article. [2] And check this article out for the lowdown on filtration. [3] Resources: 1. 6 Laboratory Sterilization Methods. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/853/5-laboratory-sterilisation-methods/ 2. How UV Light Damages DNA and the Havoc it Can Cause to Your Experiments. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/36762/how-uv-light-damages-dna/ 3. How Filtration Works: A Short Guide for Biologists. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/59280/how-filtration-works/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #69 — Figures are a fundamental way to communicate science and are essential components of journal articles. In this episode, learn the differences between vector and raster image types, hear the pros and cons of various common file types, and get the lowdown on common parameters such as color models and DPI. Check out the original article for an easy table that summarizes the key differences between image types. [1] Plus, if you want to make beautiful images of proteins and DNA, read our step-by-step tutorial, [2] and if you need some inspiration, check out our article on the science of figure creation for ideas to make your figures stand out. [3] Resources: 1. The 2 Types of Digital Images: Tools to Prepare Stunning Images for Publication. https://bitesizebio.com/43785/an-introduction-to-digital-images-in-publications/ 2. Learn to Draw a Molecule in PyMOL™ in 8 Easy Steps. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/54445/molecular-visualization-tool/ 3. The Art and Science of Figure Creation: Think BIG to see Small. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/30920/art-science-figure-creation/

Flow Stars season 4 is back with more leading specialists in the field of Flow Cytommetry, listen here —> flowstars.bitesizebio.com/ #68 — Controls are fundamental to getting meaningful data. Especially in long, drawn-out experiments like immunofluorescence imaging. In this episode, we explain 5 types of immunofluorescence control, what they tell you, and why they are critical for your experiments. Check out the original article for links to loads of related resources [1], and you can access all this information as a beautiful poster for your lab. [2] Resources: 1. 5 Controls for Immunofluorescence: A Beginner’s Guide. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/44370/controls-for-immunofluorescence-a-beginners-guide/ 2. Bitesize Bio's Ultimate Immunofluorescence Troubleshooting Guide. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/immunofluorescence-troubleshooting-guide/