Mentors at Your Benchside

#115 — Hepatocytes are liver cells that are essential for its function. They are also essential for certain branches of drug testing and diagnostics. However, they have irregular shapes, multiple nuclei, and can clump, which makes them difficult to process and count accurately. In this episode, we explain how to prepare the best hepatocyte samples possible. We also explain the latest automated mac...

#114 — High-quality nuclei extraction is pivotal for many genetic and epigenetic studies, including single cell RNA-seq to describe transcriptomic profiles and gene expression dynamics and ATAC-seq to determine chromatin accessibility. But nuclei samples are extremely delicate and can be challenging to prepare and count. In this episode, we provide some practical tips to prepare high-quality nucle...

#113 — Learning how to respond to criticism is an unavoidable aspect of grant applications. Follow all instructions from funding agencies to avoid immediate rejection. This episode of Mentors At Your Benchside gives you some simple strategies to ensure you respond to criticism in a constructive and proportionate way. For example, identifying reviewers can help you tailor your responses, but don't...

#112 — Isoelectric focusing (IEF) is a powerful technique distinct from the more familiar SDS-PAGE, [1 , 2] tailored for separating proteins or peptides based on their isoelectric points (pI). [3] This method capitalizes on the migration of charged molecules through a stable pH gradient until they reach a zone where their net charge is zero, halting their movement. Essential to setting up an IEF e...

#111 — In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of microbes and their revolutionary applications in biotechnology. From environmental solutions to breakthroughs in health and medicine, microbes hold the key to some of the most advanced scientific developments. Discover how these microscopic organisms are transforming industries and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in scien...

#110 — Comparing two sets of data is a fundamental process in statistical analysis, crucial for drawing meaningful conclusions across various fields. Whether it's for determining the success of an intervention, understanding market trends, or validating scientific research, the need for comparison arises. This episode delves into the essence of data comparison, focusing on two prevalent statistica...

#109 — How do you build a scientific network that gives you the best chance of getting your research funded? How can you identify who to include in your network, and how should you contact them? This episode explains how to build a scientific network that works for you. We discuss the answers to these questions and provide some examples of collaborations that ended well—and some that didn't. Check...

#108 — What should you use to fix your cells? Alcohols or aldehydes? Gluteraldehyde or formaldehyde? And how long will your cells stay fixed? This episode explains the four main fixatives for histology and cytometry and when to use them. It also provides some practical tips to ensure your fixation works and explains the benefits of combining fixatives. Check out the corresponding article for links...

#107 — Need to give your microscope a quick clean to get rid of some grime but unsure what cleaning agent to use? Have you had a nasty sample on there recently and need to disinfect it for the next user? This episode gives you a quick guide to disinfecting your microscopes, including what solvents are safe to use and the parts you should tackle first. Check out the corresponding article for helpfu...

#106 — Transforming a tissue sample into a slide ready for microscopic exploration involves a series of critical steps. Among these, tissue processing is a fundamental phase bridging tissue fixation and the embedding/sectioning of paraffin blocks. In this episode, discover what exactly happens in this vital in-between stage, and learn about the six steps that ensure your samples are ready for micr...

#105 — You may be familiar with standard single fragment ligations: insert, vector, ligase—done! But what if you have a complex cloning project with a massive region of DNA to clone? You can’t PCR the whole thing, and you can’t cut the entire thing out from somewhere else. What do you do? In this episode, we explain the answer: multiple fragment ligation. Check out the corresponding article for so...

#104 — What funding stream is right for you? Industry or government? Non-profits or crowdfunding? It depends on what you're researching, but also where you want to take your career. In this episode, Joel Berry, Founder, and Chief Scientist at Astound Research, breaks down the different funding streams and flow of money in bioscience research. Discover the scope and requirements of each type of fun...

#103 — DNA sequencing is a fundamental technique in modern molecular biology that has revolutionized the study of genes. In the old days, Maxam–Gilbert sequencing was the method of choice, but it has mostly been replaced by Sanger sequencing and Next-Generation methods. Yet, it still has some niche uses, and in the historical context of DNA sequencing, it’s hugely important! So, in this episode, l...

#102 — Fluorescence microscopy images not only look great but also allow us to get a better understanding of cells, structures, and tissues. And confocal laser scanning microscopy lets us construct 3D images from 2D micrographs. In this episode, learn the basic principles of confocal laser scanning microscopy, how the microscopes work, and some of its applications in bioscience and beyond. Check o...

#101 —  Discover what it takes to become an expert at getting funded, from simple habits such as summarizing what you read in the literature, to big steps such as organizing your very own conference to establish your name in your field. With over 30 years of experience as a biomedical engineering researcher seeking grants, Joel Berry, Founder, and Chief Scientist at Astound Research, shares his ha...

#100 — Science attracts so many different and quirky personalities that you are bound to have some people you just don’t get along with. Conflicts happen, and there are many strategies you can take to deal with conflict in the lab. But when your lab supervisor is the problem, it can be a big issue for you. In this episode, delve into the challenges of dealing with difficult lab supervisors. [1] We...

#99 — So you’ve got your flow cytometry training booked and are one step closer to that precious data. But if you want to hit the ground running and get some useful data from your samples, there are some little things you'll need to do. These include reading up on a bit of background theory, understanding the capabilities of different types of cytometers, and thinking about what you want to learn...

#98 — Our labs can contain thousands of chemicals, many of which will be past their given expiry date and many of which are expensive to buy and replace. Replacing them when you don't need to can be a waste of time and grant money. On the other hand, using expired chemicals can lead to failed experiments and confusing results.  In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside , learn what types of che...

#97 — A research interest statement is essential to successfully apply for an academic job. In this episode, we delve into how to craft an outstanding one. [1] We cover strategies to outline your past, current, and future research in a concise format. We also explain other key elements such as, creating a compelling introduction, detailing research plans, aligning with targeted labs or departments...

#96 — An appropriate microorganism preservation method can make all the difference in maintaining the viability of your microbial strains because it plays a crucial role in ensuring reproducible results and continuity in research. In this episode, learn the preservation methods for short- and long-term microbe storage, their pros and cons, and the kit you need to do them. Check out the correspondi...

#95 — Have you ever accidentally forgotten to add the Kozak consensus sequence to the start of a coding gene? Or forgotten to include the stop codon? Did you clone something, then realize you wanted to tag it with something? Or do you want to add restriction enzymes to your PCR product to make it easier to clone into a plasmid? Overhang PCR may be your answer! In this episode, we discuss what over...

#94 — While there are lots of methods to choose from for cleaning up your RNA or DNA samples, for many researchers, phenol-chloroform is the go-to technique. In this episode, go beyond the basics of how the method works and get expert practical guidance on performing and optimizing it. Plus, learn the differences between the common solvents, how to check and adjust the pH of the phenol phase, and...

#93 — Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that combines mathematics, computer science, physics, and biology to help answer key questions in modern biological sciences research. In this episode, we’ve got the lowdown on the training you’ll need to pursue this career path, and a handy list of resources to get you started on your learning. [1] Plus, check out our related article on some of t...

#92 — We all need to lyse cells to extract the goodness—our samples—from them. However, there are many cell lysis methods. Some are harsh, while some are gentle. Some are laborious, while some are easy. Some require dedicated equipment, while some do not. So which one do you choose? In this episode, we cover eight cell lysis methods for your experiments. [1] For extra information to help you pick...

#91 — Genomes are complex and encode a vast quantity of information. One of their key features is genetic variants—aberrations in the genetic sequence, usually in the form of insertions, deletions, repeats, and translocations of genetic material. This episode explains the different types of genetic variants, introduces their key features, and gives you some top tips for studying them. Read the cor...