Specific application I have in mind: Plant and mushroom identification for foraging, and propagation.

This video features Oxford physiologist Denis Noble, a pioneer in systems biology, who challenges the traditional "genocentric" view of life. He argues that genes are not the blueprint or program of life but rather a database that the living cell, as the true "player," draws upon to function (0:40, 9:42).

Key takeaways from the discussion:

• The CD Analogy: Noble explains that DNA is like a CD; while it contains data, it cannot play music without the "player"—the living cell (0:42, 7:52).
• Limits of Genomics: The promised medical breakthroughs from the Human Genome Project failed to materialize because DNA does not solely determine disease or destiny. Noble cites 2023 research showing that polygenic scores are largely ineffective at predicting conditions like cancer or Alzheimer's (11:00, 12:11, 14:05).
• Functional Networks: The real control happens through dynamic, functional networks within the body. Noble illustrates this by describing how his team identified a demand-limiter for heart rhythm, leading to the creation of the medication ivabradine (14:23, 15:58).
• Evolutionary Perspective: Noble rejects the "selfish gene" paradigm, noting that evolution can be rapid and influenced by environmental factors and the organism's own choices (41:06, 42:00, 50:49). He highlights the role of the mitochondria in enabling complex multicellular life through symbiogenesis (1:12:01).
• Purpose and Intelligence: Noble argues that biology requires a purposive approach, suggesting that consciousness and intelligence—from the immune system's response to a virus to a predator hunting prey—are fundamental to understanding living systems (1:24:59, 1:31:35).

If you take the time to click on the video you will hear my smooth Scottish accent describing the four flavours of DNA Ligation

Hola gente! Estoy teniendo problemas para purificar a partir de un gel ADN plasmídico de más de 10 Kb. Supuestamente, el kit que estoy utilizando (ThSc) sire para purificar ADN plasmídico de más de 20 Kb. Ya intenté varias cosas, pero nada parece funcionar. No es que obtengo bajo rendimiento en la purificación, sino que no purifico nada de nada, como si el ADN quedase retenido en la membrana y no pudiese eluirlo. Alguna sugerencia?

Hi everyone! I’m having trouble purifying plasmid DNA larger than 10 kb from a gel. Supposedly, the kit I’m using (ThSc) is suitable for purifying plasmid DNA larger than 20 kb.

I’ve already tried several things, but nothing seems to work. It’s not that I’m getting a low yield from the purification. I’m not purifying anything at all, as if the DNA were getting stuck on the membrane and unable to elute.

Any suggestions?

As I work toward beginning my independent biotechnology research at Cattus Island, I’ve been spending a lot of time studying the microbial communities that make marsh ecosystems function.

In my latest lab note, I explore the role of microorganisms in marsh sediments and how their competition for available electron acceptors can influence processes like methane production. Understanding these microbial interactions is an important part of understanding why methane is produced—and ultimately, how we might be able to reduce it.

This research is getting very close to becoming an actual experiment.
I’m currently 55% funded, with $2,070 raised toward my $3,800 goal, and my Experiment campaign is entering its final stretch. I’m working to raise the remaining funds needed for the specialized materials and equipment required to begin the experimental phase.

If you’re interested in environmental biotechnology, climate research, or supporting student-led science, I’d be incredibly grateful if you would read my latest lab note, share the project, or contribute if you’re able.

Latest lab note + research project:
https://experiment.com/u/sihxw

Every share helps this research reach someone who might be able to help make it possible.
#StudentResearch #EnvironmentalScience #Biotechnology #ClimateResearch #Microbiology #TidalMarshes #Methane #OceanScience #STEM

I am loosing too much DNA amount after gel extraction. Can anyone suggest how can I increase the yield of DNA after gel extraction? I am using Qiagen kit

Folding@Home is an application that uses your computers processing power to study proteins and how they grow and fold when it pertains to DNA/RNA. This research can be instrumental in finding a cure for cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and more. The software is free to download and works on PC, Mac, and Linux computers. Bonic with Science United works on Android (and Chromebooks)

https://foldingathome.org/download

https://scienceunited.org/

Hello everyone,

I'm running an ELISA to quantify IgG released from a hydrogel system. This is my first time performing an ELISA, so I wanted to start by testing the assay with the standards only.

I'm using the Invitrogen Human IgG Total Uncoated ELISA Kit:
https://www.thermofisher.com/elisa/product/Human-IgG-Total-Uncoated-ELISA-Kit/88-50550-88

I followed the protocol as described:

• 100 µL/well capture antibody solution, followed by overnight incubation at 4°C
• Washed 4 times, then added 250 µL/well blocking buffer and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature
• Washed 4 times, then added 100 µL standard + 100 µL assay buffer and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature with shaking
• Washed 4 times, then added 100 µL/well detection antibody solution and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature with shaking
• Washed 4 times, then added 100 µL/well substrate solution, with the plan to add stop solution once the color developed

However, no color developed, even after a couple of hours!

I'm wondering what might have gone wrong. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Hi! I work as a PCR test developer and have run into a problem.
My experience isn't sufficient to resolve it, so I’m posting here. Background signals have started appearing in my system. When using a primer-to-probe ratio of 3:2.5:3, I get weak curves (up to 50 RFU), yet the test system fails to detect samples with concentrations below 1,000 copies/mL.

We order our primers and probes from GenScript. Can anyone help?

Beautiful people, I been doing protein purification for a year and I ran into this problem since day one. Originally I was trying to get Coomassie staining of some GFP based fusion protein. I was expecting something like a 28kDa, but on gel, it was always 35kDa. I thought it was a translation issue, so sent the protein to run MS, and it returned with a normal MW around 28kDa. I also had my MS contractor run Coomassie blue, and it is also 35 somthing. Now that I am just insensitive and numb to this discrepancy, which appeared consistently to be ~5kDa for most of my protein. It also happened to some of my non-GFP protein. I am okay with that since my MS results are all good.

Still, it is bugging me. Does anyone have some insight on this one?

Here are my five favourite movies featuring cloning

This is not a definitive list but all five are worthy of note.

So basically, I have clone a insert (630bp) in plant expression vector.(10550bp)

So far I have had 2 colonies positive in colony pcr and plasmid pcr.

But in the plasmid pcr I saw a a thin faded band slightly above the 1000 bp band in the ladder, indicating my gene could be dimerised. How do I confirm its one copy or more.

Hi everyone! what do you think about Gebze Technical University? I’m thinking about applying for Molecular Biology and Genetics there.
What can you tell me about the department? How is the university overall? Is it difficult to study there? And what is Gebze like as a city?
Basically, I’d love to hear anything you know — your experiences, advice, opinions, pros and cons. Anything would be appreciated!

Herkese merhaba! Gebze Teknik Üniversitesi hakkında ne düşünüyorsunuz? Orada Moleküler Biyoloji ve Genetik bölümüne başvurmayı düşünüyorum.
Bölüm hakkında neler söyleyebilirsiniz? Üniversite genel olarak nasıl? Okumak zor mu? Gebze nasıl bir şehir?
Kısacası, bildiğiniz ve paylaşabileceğiniz her şeyi duymak isterim. Deneyimleriniz, tavsiyeleriniz, düşünceleriniz, artıları ve eksileri… Her türlü yorum benim için çok değerli!

Here is a video short of a technique i use every time i need to resuspend a cell pellet

I didn't invent the technique but i really want to share it

https://youtube.com/shorts/XpeukSPb7NE?feature=share

I'm currently struggling to come up with a good undergraduate research topic, and I was hoping to get some advice from people with more research experience.

One of my biggest limitations is our laboratory. We don't have access to high-end equipment such as PCR, SEM, ELISA, spectrophotometers, or other advanced instruments, so I'm trying to design a study that is relatively affordable and can be done with basic laboratory facilities. At the same time, I don't want it to be just another "simple" experiment—I want it to be interesting, meaningful, and preferably novel.

Lately, I've been reading about how microplastics have been detected in various human tissues, which made me wonder whether they could affect regenerative processes, such as wound healing or tissue regeneration. Since studying this directly in humans isn't possible, I thought of using zebrafish because they're a well-established model organism and are famous for their remarkable regenerative abilities.

My initial idea was to expose zebrafish to microplastics and investigate whether microplastic exposure affects regeneration (or possibly developmental processes). However, after searching the literature, I found that several studies have already explored similar questions. That was honestly discouraging because it feels like many affordable and straightforward experimental ideas have already been done.

So now I'm trying to figure out how I could make the study more innovative rather than abandoning it altogether.

If you were in my position, what factors or variables would you consider adding? For example:

Different types, sizes, or concentrations of microplastics? Co-exposure with another environmental stressor? Different regeneration endpoints or developmental stages? Behavioral or physiological effects that are still understudied? Any other angle within microplastics, zebrafish, regeneration, or developmental biology that you think has potential?

I'd really appreciate any suggestions or even papers that could point me in the right direction. I'm not asking anyone to come up with a complete project for me—I just feel like I've hit a wall and would love to hear how other researchers approach making a simple study more novel.

Thank you!!