#5 — Have you ever chilled beer on dry ice from the lab? Does your wardrobe consist mainly of free T-shirts from companies at conferences? (https://bit.ly/conference-who-where-what) Have you ever wondered what the distilled water in the lab tastes like? (https://bit.ly/water-what-is-it-good-for) If any of these questions apply to you, then tune in to this episode, as we cover more funny and telling signs that you're a true scientist. Read the full article to discover the difference between...

#5 — Have you ever chilled beer on dry ice from the lab? Does your wardrobe consist mainly of free T-shirts from companies at conferences? (https://bit.ly/conference-who-where-what) Have you ever wondered what the distilled water in the lab tastes like? (https://bit.ly/water-what-is-it-good-for) If any of these questions apply to you, then tune in to this episode, as we cover more funny and telling signs that you're a true scientist. Read the full article to discover the difference between...

#4 — PCR is a useful lab technique used to copy, sequence or quantify DNA. If you're new to PCR, this episode is for you. We cover the five things you need to get started with PCR and explain how to run a polymerase chain reaction. Read the full article to learn more about setting up a PCR. [1] Learn more about Kary Mullis and the invention of PCR, and about the first thermocycler "Mr Cycle". [2–4] For practical tips, see our article on the top tips for primer design. [5] Resources: 1....

#3 — In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside, listen to a short history of cryo-electron microscopy—the Nobel Prize-winning technique revolutionizing molecular and structural biology. The journey takes us from the inception of cryo-EM- obscure, inferior, and derided- to the present-day competition for access to the incredibly powerful Krios microscopes. It's all about the power of an image. And speaking of images, be sure to read A Short History of Cryo-Electron Microscopy for a...

#2 — Micropipettes are the bread and butter instrument of a lab, helping you to accurately dispense minute amounts of liquid. But these tools are only trustworthy if they are well maintained and handled appropriately. Listen to the latest episode of Mentors At Your Benchside to uncover top tips for precise pipetting. Want to know more about correct pipetting technique? Access the original article on 17 Ways to Avoid Pipetting Errors, download the Gilson Guide to Pipetting, and read the...

#3 — In this episode of Mentors At Your Benchside, listen to a short history of cryo-electron microscopy—the Nobel Prize-winning technique revolutionizing molecular and structural biology. The journey takes us from the inception of cryo-EM- obscure, inferior, and derided- to the present-day competition for access to the incredibly powerful Krios microscopes. It's all about the power of an image. And speaking of images, be sure to read A Short History of Cryo-Electron Microscopy for a...

#1 — Is it worth doing a PhD? This is a question that probably plagues every research student at some point in their career. In this episode, we explore 5 important questions you should consider before embarking on a PhD. Read the full article for more advice before making the difficult decision to pursue a PhD after getting your Master’s degree. [1] If you are looking for further advice, make sure you check out our article with pointers for PhD students. [2] A good PhD supervisor is worth...

Although macrophages were first described by Elie Metchnikoff in 1882, plenty of mysteries are still associated with the cell type. Indeed, while macrophages were once considered simply "garbage trucks" of the immune system due to their phagocytic property, their substantial and multifaceted contribution to immunological responses and homeostasis is becoming more apparent. Macrophages can produce a wide range of cytokines and chemokines to influence the immune response toward healing or...

Functional imaging is a rapidly growing field key to driving new understanding in biology. Insights into the function and interaction of molecules are the key to reveal the underlying cellular mechanisms. In this context, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) is a powerful tool, providing valuable information beyond spectral imaging. FLIM is immune to concentration artefacts and sensitive to molecular environment such has pH changes, ion concentrations, and more. Förster Resonance Energy...

In this tutorial on confocal imaging, you will learn how you can: - Capture weaker signals—and still get sound, reproducible data. - Reach faster volumetric imaging without sacrificing resolution - Increase data throughput for your imaging needs Learn about the new Multiplex mode for parallel pixel acquisition with the ZEISS LSM 9 family and Airyscan 2. You can now acquire up to 8 superresolution image lines with high signal-to-noise rate in a single sweep. Capture dynamic processes,...

In this tutorial on confocal imaging, you will learn how you can: - Capture weaker signals—and still get sound, reproducible data. - Reach faster volumetric imaging without sacrificing resolution - Increase data throughput for your imaging needs Learn about the new Multiplex mode for parallel pixel acquisition with the ZEISS LSM 9 family and Airyscan 2. You can now acquire up to 8 superresolution image lines with high signal-to-noise rate in a single sweep. Capture dynamic processes,...

In this webinar, you will learn: - The complete workflow for in situ cryo-electron tomography - How subtomogram averaging within the cell yields native-state structures of macromolecular complexes (e.g., the asymmetric and dilated nuclear pore of algae) - How mapping these structures back into the native cellular environment reveals new molecular interactions that are only accessible by this technique (e.g., the binding of cargo to COPI-coated Golgi membranes and the tethering of...

In this webinar, you will learn: - The complete workflow for in situ cryo-electron tomography - How subtomogram averaging within the cell yields native-state structures of macromolecular complexes (e.g., the asymmetric and dilated nuclear pore of algae) - How mapping these structures back into the native cellular environment reveals new molecular interactions that are only accessible by this technique (e.g., the binding of cargo to COPI-coated Golgi membranes and the tethering of...

In this webinar, you will learn: - The complete workflow for in situ cryo-electron tomography - How subtomogram averaging within the cell yields native-state structures of macromolecular complexes (e.g., the asymmetric and dilated nuclear pore of algae) - How mapping these structures back into the native cellular environment reveals new molecular interactions that are only accessible by this technique (e.g., the binding of cargo to COPI-coated Golgi membranes and the tethering of...

In this webinar, you will learn: - How structural biology can change the face of your research - The biological challenges of cancer research - Advantages of cryo-EM for your research Covering both biology and methodology, this webinar will explain how single-particle cryo-electron microscopy enables us to gain insight into cancer development through the detailed analysis of molecular structure. In single-particle cryo-EM, hundreds of thousands of images formed by electron scattering of...

In this webinar, you will learn: - How structural biology can change the face of your research - The biological challenges of cancer research - Advantages of cryo-EM for your research Covering both biology and methodology, this webinar will explain how single-particle cryo-electron microscopy enables us to gain insight into cancer development through the detailed analysis of molecular structure. In single-particle cryo-EM, hundreds of thousands of images formed by electron scattering of...

In this webinar, you will learn: - How structural biology can change the face of your research - The biological challenges of cancer research - Advantages of cryo-EM for your research Covering both biology and methodology, this webinar will explain how single-particle cryo-electron microscopy enables us to gain insight into cancer development through the detailed analysis of molecular structure. In single-particle cryo-EM, hundreds of thousands of images formed by electron scattering of...

Your life sciences research often requires you to measure, quantify and understand the finest details and sub-cellular structures of your sample. You may be working with tissue, bacteria, organoids, neurons, living or fixed -cells and many different labels. In this webinar, we will explain how Elyra 7 with Lattice SIM takes you beyond the diffraction limit of conventional microscopy to image your samples with superresolution. Learn how to examine the fastest processes in living samples – in...

Your life sciences research often requires you to measure, quantify and understand the finest details and sub-cellular structures of your sample. You may be working with tissue, bacteria, organoids, neurons, living or fixed -cells and many different labels. In this webinar, we will explain how Elyra 7 with Lattice SIM takes you beyond the diffraction limit of conventional microscopy to image your samples with superresolution. Learn how to examine the fastest processes in living samples – in...

Your life sciences research often requires you to measure, quantify and understand the finest details and sub-cellular structures of your sample. You may be working with tissue, bacteria, organoids, neurons, living or fixed -cells and many different labels. In this webinar, we will explain how Elyra 7 with Lattice SIM takes you beyond the diffraction limit of conventional microscopy to image your samples with superresolution. Learn how to examine the fastest processes in living samples – in...

Array tomography (AT) is a 3D image reconstruction technique for high resolution, quantitative analysis of biological structures. For optimal results, ultrathin and ordered sections are an absolute requirement. In this webinar you will get tips and tricks to optimize the workflow of your array tomography: - Fast and precise trimming of the sample block-face - Adhesion of a single section to create ribbons - Automated serial sectioning with the ARTOS 3D ultramicrotome - Acquisition and...

Array tomography (AT) is a 3D image reconstruction technique for high resolution, quantitative analysis of biological structures. For optimal results, ultrathin and ordered sections are an absolute requirement. In this webinar you will get tips and tricks to optimize the workflow of your array tomography: - Fast and precise trimming of the sample block-face - Adhesion of a single section to create ribbons - Automated serial sectioning with the ARTOS 3D ultramicrotome - Acquisition and...

Array tomography (AT) is a 3D image reconstruction technique for high resolution, quantitative analysis of biological structures. For optimal results, ultrathin and ordered sections are an absolute requirement. In this webinar you will get tips and tricks to optimize the workflow of your array tomography: - Fast and precise trimming of the sample block-face - Adhesion of a single section to create ribbons - Automated serial sectioning with the ARTOS 3D ultramicrotome - Acquisition and...

In this webinar you will learn: - Improved vitrification: Specimen vitrification without synchronisation fluid - Vitrification strategies: Optimized freezing for different techniques - Light and electrical stimulation: Dissect cellular processes with millisecond precision - A look into the future: freezing of crystals Plunge freezing and cryo imaging of proteins and complexes have revealed new details in understanding the machinery of the cell and how molecules are involved in cellular...

In this webinar you will learn: - Improved vitrification: Specimen vitrification without synchronisation fluid - Vitrification strategies: Optimized freezing for different techniques - Light and electrical stimulation: Dissect cellular processes with millisecond precision - A look into the future: freezing of crystals Plunge freezing and cryo imaging of proteins and complexes have revealed new details in understanding the machinery of the cell and how molecules are involved in cellular...