PCR Month on CBT2.0

To acknowledge the workshop by Sean Taylor of Bio-Rad: Key Steps for Generating Real-Time PCR Data that Conforms to MIQE Guidelines, we are hailing November as PCR Month on CBT2.0. Please note the strong set of references currently on The Canadian BioTechnologist2.0 on PCR (see: http://cbt20.wordpress.com/category/pcr/page/2/) or the category link below and to the right.

If you send in a short written piece (Canada Only) that we can publish on the blog on your work using PCR we will send you a nifty CBT2.0 T-Shirt (while supplies last)!

Please email submissions to holiver@whatifwhatnext.com. All submissions must be received by November 28, 2009.

New tool for sharing & organizing your lab’s protocols, materials and data

Ever get that feeling that things in the lab are disorganized and that as soon as you leave the lab, all your hard work will leave with you? You’re not alone. The founders of BioData were also confounded by their lab experience and came up with a laboratory management tool for maintaining organization, collaboration and continuity in the lab. BioKM™ is an internet application designed to meet the everyday needs of researchers in an academic lab environment. Data is stored on a secured server, and the system can be accessed anywhere and at any time. BioKM™ allows for easier management and documentation,as well as sharing information and improving communication between members of the lab. BioKM™also simplifies keeping track of the research being conducted in the lab. Instead of wasting valuable time with tedious management procedures, BioKM™ makes your lab more efficient, resulting in more time to focus on your research.

click here for tour:

Papers and Tools On CBT2.0

Sample Preparation Bio-Rad Tech Note 5632

Assessing Low-Abundance Proteins in Serum and Plasma with a Novel, Simple Enrichment and Depletion Method

For more see: Bulletin 5632 Sample Prep Acessessing Low Abundance Proteins TN 9-09

Kids Science Weekend

From the Discovery Channel. For more see: http://www.howstuffworks.com/

Check out the video on the Bio-Brain! COOL..

PCR Education

Bio-Rad offers a unique modular lab series — the Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series — in which students are guided through an innovative research workflow identical to those performed in genomics labs worldwide. Over a multiple-week lab course, students will combine traditional and cutting-edge molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics.

Click HERE for more.

Book Review: PCR Troubleshooting: The Essential Guide Book

PCR Troubleshooting: The Essential Guide Book
By: Michael L. Altshuler Moscow Research Institute of Medical Ecology

A unique PCR troubleshooting guide that is an essential companion for anyone who uses the polymerase chain reaction technique. Aimed at a reader with some experience in PCR the book discusses the many and varied problems encountered with PCR together with tips, advice and procedures to obviate rather than overcome the PCR problems. Written in the language of the laboratory with a little humour and a down-to-earth approach, the book is easy to read and understand.

For more see: http://www.horizonpress.com/pcr2

Book Review: Real-Time PCR: Current Technology and Applications

Editor: Julie Logan, Kirstin Edwards and Nick Saunders Applied and Functional Genomics, Health Protection Agency, London

Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) technology is highly flexible and many alternative instruments and fluorescent probe systems have been developed recently. The decreased hands-on time, increased reliability and improved quantitative accuracy of RT-PCR methods have contributed to the adoption of RT-PCR for a wide range of new applications.

This manual presents a comprehensive guide to the most up-to-date technologies and applications as well as providing an overview of the theory of this increasingly important technique. Experts describe and discuss the latest PCR platforms, fluorescent chemistries, validation software, data analysis, and internal and external controls. This timely and authoritative volume also discusses a wide range of RT-PCR applications including: clinical diagnostics, biodefense, RNA expression studies, validation of array data, mutation detection, food authenticity and legislation, NASBA, molecular halotyping, and much more.

Key Features:
• Comprehensive coverage of the latest real time PCR technologies and applications
• 17 chapters
• Completely up-to-date
• Internationally renowned authors
• Fully illustrated throughout
• Explains key principles and concepts
• Covers a broad range of applications
• Real time PCR in food, biodefense, clinical microbiology, diagnosis of infection and much more!
• Useful reference sections

Biotechnology News – Special H1N1 Coverage

Nov. 4 chat with Dr. Arlene King Ontario’s chief medical officer of health on the CBC.

This is an in depth piece that is well commented upon. Well worth reading if you are interested in the adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine.

Click here for rmore: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/11/02/yv-f-livechat-h1n1.html

Kids Science Weekend

BiologyInMotion presents animations, interactive activities, and cartoons designed to make learning biology a richer, more engaging experience. Enjoy the original, entertaining, interactive biology learning activities. Tipps for teachers too!

To visit click here: http://biologyinmotion.com/welcome.html

Are You Smarter Than A Lab Tech?

Play the online PCR game and test your knowledge! Go head-to-head with Larry the Lab Tech….

Visit http://www.rethinkpcr.com/larrythelabtech.html to play the game.

And what are the top 5 PCR Quips from the ReThinkPCR site?
I think … therefore, I anneal.
I think … of Nobel, But my band does not appear, Cycler obsolete.
I think … my thermal cycler is better at making waffles than amplifing DNA.
I think … I get more un-required bands than MTV does.
I think … “hot tag” is more like “not tag”.

INTRODUCING: The Bio-Rad Real-Time PCR iPhone Application

An easy-to-use qPCR resource, Bio-Rad’s Real-Time PCR iPhone application includes the Real-Time PCR Applications Guide for researchers who want to learn more about designing, analyzing, and optimizing real-time PCR experiments. Another feature is the qPCR Doctor, an interactive troubleshooting tool for resolving problems relating to real-time PCR assays. The Real-Time PCR iPhone Application also includes a qPCR Assay Design section which provides guidance for designing a qPCR assay, information on validating and optimizing your qPCR assay, and different methods for analyzing qPCR data. This application puts three of Bio-Rad’s best real-time PCR resources at your fingertips.