Top 10 Lab Techniques Every Life Science Researcher Must Know!

Summary

This informative video by Biotecnika explores the top 10 essential lab techniques that every life science researcher should master to excel in their field. These techniques include blotting for biomolecule identification, extraction and storage of biomolecules, gel electrophoresis, microscopic techniques, and polymerase chain reaction. The episode also delves into cell culture techniques, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography, flow cytometry, and bioinformatics tools. While these are fundamental skills, the field is ever-evolving, with new techniques like NGS and CRISPR gradually becoming crucial. Biotecnika emphasizes the importance of both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, offering courses to help researchers stay updated. The video is a valuable resource for budding scientists looking to strengthen their lab skills.

Highlights

• Blotting techniques identify DNA, RNA, and proteins, crucial for molecular biology. 🧬
• Master extraction methods for biomolecule storage and use in experiments. 🧪
• Gel electrophoresis is essential for studying DNA, RNA, and protein behavior. 🧫
• Microscopes are vital for understanding cellular life forms and macromolecular structure. 🔬
• PCR enables the generation of millions of DNA copies, central to many research areas. 🔄
• Cell cultures advance studies in microbial, plant, and animal biology. 🌿
• Spectroscopy aids in the detailed analysis of molecular structures and components. 📊
• Chromatography is key for separating and analyzing complex biological mixtures. 🧪
• Flow cytometry sorts and analyzes cells from mixed samples efficiently. 📊
• Bioinformatics is indispensable for handling large-scale biological data sets. 💻

Key Takeaways

• Mastering blotting techniques is crucial for identifying DNA, mRNA, and proteins. 🧬
• Extraction and storage protocols for biomolecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins are essential. 🧪
• Gel electrophoresis is key for molecular analysis in research. 🧫
• Microscopic techniques are fundamental for visualizing life on a cellular level. 🔬
• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is vital for amplifying DNA segments swiftly. 🔄
• Cell culture techniques are indispensable for studying cellular behavior and drug impact. 🧬
• Understanding spectroscopic techniques helps in qualitative and quantitative biomolecule analysis. 🌈
• Chromatography is important for separating complex biological mixtures. 📏
• Flow cytometry is crucial for cell sorting and analysis in research labs. 🔍
• Bioinformatics tools are necessary for genomic and proteomic research. 💻

Overview

Biotecnika's latest video offers a comprehensive guide to the fundamental lab techniques that every life science researcher must know. These techniques are instrumental in various research areas including molecular biology, genetics, and biochemistry. The video provides an insightful look into tools like blotting for biomolecule identification, and methods for biomolecule extraction and storage, emphasizing their importance in facilitating scientific inquiry.

Beyond the basics, the video also covers advanced techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cell culture methods, which are vital for understanding cellular processes and the effects of drugs. Spectroscopic techniques and chromatography are highlighted as critical for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of biomolecules. Additionally, the video discusses the significance of microscopic techniques and flow cytometry in modern research environments.

Moreover, the video touches on the importance of bioinformatics tools in genomic and proteomic research, and how staying updated with new technologies like NGS and CRISPR is critical for researchers. Biotecnika positions itself as a key resource for researchers wishing to improve their lab skills through specialized courses. This engaging content encourages researchers to continue learning and adapting to new scientific challenges.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Research Fields The chapter 'Introduction to Research Fields' discusses the autonomy licensed researchers have in selecting their field of interest from a vast range of options, including molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, and animal or plant biotechnology. It highlights that each research field involves unique experiments, techniques, and laboratory instruments.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Importance of Learning Lab Techniques The chapter emphasizes the significance of mastering essential lab techniques for researchers. It draws an analogy between learning the alphabet to write and acquiring lab techniques to conduct efficient wet lab experiments. It announces a focus on the top 10 lab techniques every researcher should be familiar with.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Blotting Techniques The chapter covers blotting techniques, a prevalent laboratory method in cell and molecular biology. It emphasizes the identification of various biomolecules, including DNA, mRNA, and proteins.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Techniques for Extraction and Storage of Biomolecules This chapter focuses on the various techniques used for the extraction and storage of biomolecules. It highlights the importance of hands-on experience with blotting techniques, which are vital for conducting experiments and research efficiently during PhD or professional work. Additionally, the chapter hints at discussing some of the most common biomolecules, although it doesn't delve into specifics within the provided transcript.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Gel Electrophoresis This chapter discusses experiments involving DNA, RNA, and protein extractions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and properly using various reagents with specific roles in these protocols. Additionally, it introduces gel electrophoresis as a crucial technique that researchers must be knowledgeable about.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Microscopic Techniques The chapter on Microscopic Techniques delves into gel electrophoresis, a crucial method for molecular analysis, including DNA, RNA, and protein analysis. Mastery of this technique involves learning how to use electrophoretic apparatus and casting gels correctly. Gel electrophoresis is a staple in molecular biology and biochemistry laboratories for various analytical purposes.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Polymerase Chain Reaction The chapter titled 'Polymerase Chain Reaction' focuses on the importance of microscopy in science, especially in the fields of conservation biology and medicine. It emphasizes how microscopes are essential tools for researchers, allowing them to explore various scientific topics and gain a deeper understanding of life itself. The chapter appears to underscore the fundamental role of microscopic techniques as a foundational skill for researchers in these fields.
• 03:30 - 04:00: Cell Culture Techniques This chapter covers advanced cell culture techniques as they relate to the fields of microbiology and molecular biology. It delves into the visualization of structures ranging from bacterial, plant, and animal cells to the fine details of macromolecules within cells. Furthermore, the chapter introduces the polymerase chain reaction, highlighting it as a significant technique in molecular biology.
• 04:00 - 04:30: Spectroscopic Techniques The chapter "Spectroscopic Techniques" discusses the foundations and applications of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in biological studies. PCR is pivotal for generating millions of DNA copies from a single strand, making it invaluable in medical and biological experiments. The chapter highlights its significance in biomedical research and its integration in diverse experimental setups, alongside cell culture methodologies.
• 04:30 - 05:00: Chromatography The chapter focuses on the importance of culturing bacterial, plant, and animal cells for the study of microbial cellular and molecular biology. It highlights that microbial cultures are excellent techniques for exploring the physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of microbes. Additionally, the chapter emphasizes the significance of cell cultures in understanding cellular metabolism.
• 05:00 - 05:30: Flow Cytometry The chapter titled 'Flow Cytometry' primarily discusses various techniques utilized in biochemistry and molecular biology for studying the impact of drugs and chemicals. It highlights spectroscopic techniques such as UV-visible spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, which are employed for both qualitative and quantitative analyses of biomolecules, including nucleic acids. Additionally, the use of circular dichroism for identifying molecular structures is also mentioned.
• 05:30 - 06:00: Bioinformatics Tools This chapter discusses various bioinformatics tools and their applications in analyzing different aspects of biological samples. It highlights the use of atomic absorption spectrometry for detecting metal ions, and the application of NMR and IR spectroscopy techniques in analyzing the structure of large organic molecules and functional groups in compounds.
• 06:00 - 06:30: Conclusion and Additional Resources The chapter discusses the chromatography technique, emphasizing its application in separating complex mixtures into individual components. It operates on the principle of partitioning effect, which helps distribute molecules into different phases. This makes chromatography a versatile and essential method for various applications requiring detailed molecular analysis.

Top 10 Lab Techniques Every Life Science Researcher Must Know! Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 a licensed researcher has a Liberty to choose any field of research based on their interest from the wide array of research areas such as molecular biology cell biology genetics biochemistry and animal or plant biotechnology each field has its own sets of experiments requiring different techniques and the use of different lab instruments but no
• 00:30 - 01:00 matter whatever words you want to write you must learn the alphabet first in a similar manner each researcher needs to learn some useful lab techniques to be efficient in wet lab experiments let's have a look at the top 10 lab techniques every researcher must know stay tuned [Music]
• 01:00 - 01:30 number one blotting techniques blotting is the most common lab technique widely used in the field of cell and molecular biology for the identification of different biomolecules such as DNA mrna and protein sufficient
• 01:30 - 02:00 handle training experience with all types of blotting techniques will help you conduct experiments and research at much ease in your PhD or at work second is techniques for extraction and storage of biomolecules the most common biomolecules new still about three
• 02:00 - 02:30 experiments include DNA RNA and protein there are fixed protocols for the extractions of these biomolecules and it includes the use of different reagents with different roles it is important for the researcher to learn the significance of each reagent and use it properly third must know RNG technique is gel
• 02:30 - 03:00 electrophoresis for any molecular analysis such as analyzing DNA RNA and protein have to be done by gel electrophoresis so it is important to learn using electro phoretic apparatus and also to cast the gel properly gel electrophoresis is widely used in molecular biology and biochemistry labs in areas such as or in sixteens
• 03:00 - 03:30 conservation biology and medicine next is microscopic techniques this is the most basic technique must know all for researchers a microscope is used widely you know you use merit of topics in science specifically to understand life at the school and to
• 03:30 - 04:00 carry out crucial experiments with the constant advancement in the field of microbiology we can visualize from a bacterial plant and animal cells to the structure of macromolecules present inside the cell next comes polymerase chain reaction this is one of the most important techniques in the field of molecular
• 04:00 - 04:30 biology using millions of DNA copies can be developed with just one single DNA strand as a base polymerase chain reaction technique is widely used in both medical and biomedical Nobel trees and is a prime part of almost all types of experiments cell culture techniques
• 04:30 - 05:00 culturing of bacterial cells plant and animal cells are highly essential for microbial cellular and molecular biology microbial cultures of the best techniques to study the physiology biochemistry and genetics of microbes along with the antibiotics cream animal and plant cell culture is essential for studying cellular metabolism and most
• 05:00 - 05:30 effective method for studying the impact of drugs and chemicals next is spectroscopic techniques UV visible and mass spectral scopes are mostly used for both qualitative and quantitative studies of biomolecules such as through nucleic acids etc similarly circular dichroism is used for identifying
• 05:30 - 06:00 secondary tertiary structural aspects of proteins while atomic absorption spectrometer is used for the detection of metal ions in biological samples NMR and IR spectroscopy techniques are used to analyze a structure of large organic molecules and functional groups in compounds respectively it has a wide
• 06:00 - 06:30 range of application hence one must be thorough with this technique chromatography technique chromatography is best on the principle of exploitation of the partition effect that distributes the molecules into different phases thus complex mixture broken into individual components so in other words
• 06:30 - 07:00 chromatography is a set of techniques used to separate biological molecules based on the partitioning between a stationary and a mobile phase [Music] flow cytometry this is a useful technique for cell sorting that is separating different types of cells from a heterogeneous mixture of cells and
• 07:00 - 07:30 identify multiple physical characteristics of a single cell facts allows the study of multiple populations of cells within a limited time this instrument is highly essential for cell biology and animal or plant tissue culture Lubov trees that every researcher should get hands-on experience in this technique soup
• 07:30 - 08:00 bio informatics tools apart from being efficient in wet lab techniques researchers who work in the field of genomics proteomics should have a thorough idea regarding soft lab techniques as well as most genomic and proteomic work means updated information so researchers should be in practice with assessing molecular and
• 08:00 - 08:30 biotechnology databases like blast R a small and others for any updated information while these are some of the most common lab techniques every researcher must be thought of it yet there are many more techniques in this vast field of bio science like NGS CRISPR etc knowledge about which can
• 08:30 - 09:00 only be gained eventually to be a master of all these rnd techniques one must have their basic concepts clear and must be caught up with all the working principles before gaining practical working experience by Technica offers a lot of self learning certification courses on various R&D techniques like NGS CRISPR molecular biology techniques
• 09:00 - 09:30 mass spectroscopy and many more do refer to the link given below for more details on these courses until then stay safe and keep learning [Music]
• 09:30 - 10:00 you [Music] you