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Top Tips to Optimize Your Laboratory and Workflow

SelectScience

The SelectScience® editorial team and industry experts share their top tips

9 Dec 2015
Lois Manton-O'Byrne, PhD
Executive Editor

Editorial article

The SelectScience® editorial team and industry experts share their top tips

The most innovative discoveries come from scientific collaboration. Here, SelectScience’s expert editorial team, and scientists from leading companies, share top tips for laboratory efficiency and research workflow.

1. Select the Right Water Purification System for Your Lab

Choosing a water purification system for a laboratory can sometimes seem like a complicated process. However, by taking the time to thoroughly evaluate your situation at the beginning of your search and considering a few key parameters, you can make the selection a little easier. Read this step-by-step guide to have greater confidence in your final choice.

2. Tips for Selecting a Centrifuge That Best Meets Your Needs

Separations are a critical step in most workflows, making the centrifuge a vital piece of equipment in virtually all laboratories. Multi-purpose centrifuges are one of the most popular types of centrifuge and can support a wide range of processing needs, offering versatility in a compact footprint. Ensure you choose the centrifuge that best accommodates your laboratory’s current and future needs with the tips in this article.

3. Prevent Contamination in Your Cell Culture

Learn how to identify types and sources of contamination and discover simple procedures to make your cell culture routine safer and more reliable in this free SelectScience webinar.

4. Run the Perfect High-Throughput Screening Lab

Automation and high throughput screening (HTS) are two examples of these advances that have become a normal presence in the majority of the world’s labs today. Combine these capabilities with the power of flow cytometry and your options are limitless. Discover how to speed up discovery using automation and high throughput screening in this article.

5. Tips and Tricks for LC-MS

Improve your analytical accuracy, minimize instrument downtime and extend the life of your LC-MS system. Learn tips and tricks to optimize the coupling of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry in this article.

6. Cleaning a Balance: Every Step to Consider

Many factors contribute to obtaining reliable weighing results which always fall within process specifications, but the cleanliness of the measuring instrument being used is often overlooked. Which steps need to be considered when cleaning a balance, and which cleaning agents can/should be used? Learn how to clean the various parts of a typical lab balance, and discover some important considerations when purchasing a new balance.

7. 5 Tips for Diluting Antibodies

Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC), antibody titer and dilutions are important for their effect on signal and staining quality. Correct dilutions of antibodies will contribute to the quality of signal/staining if prepared precisely and consistently. Read this article to learn technical tips for optimal working dilutions of antibodies and improved consistency.

8. Top Tips for Good Laboratory Practice

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)-compliant testing in the laboratory can prevent pharmaceutical industry catastrophes, such as the thalidomide scandal in the 1970s, and 2012’s contaminated drugs meningitis outbreak in the USA. This quality assurance system encompasses all organizational structures, and the sequence of analyses and tests for authorization of a medicinal product. Learn about the fundamentals of GLP procedures with this white paper.

9. 10 Technical Tips for Western Blotting Success

Western blot or immunoblotting is a rapid and sensitive technique that uses antibodies for the specific detection of proteins separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and immobilized onto a nitrocellulose, nylon or PVDF membrane. Discover these tips for successful results.

10. Perfect Your Pipetting

Hone your pipetting technique for great consistency of results, in this video series.

Share your experiences by writing a product review today, or, for more essential tips and tricks, sign up for our free Lab Essentials newswire.

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UHPLC and HPLCHigh performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), also known as UPLC, are analytical techniques used to separate, identify and quantitate components of complex mixtures including biological samples such as proteins and lipids as well as chemical mixtures of pesticides, drugs and oils. Both techniques are liquid chromatographic methods but differ by operating pressures (HPLC < 6000 psi < UHPLC ). Components of HPLC and UHPLC systems include columns, detectors, pumps, autosamplers and column heaters. Explore a range of UHPLC and HPLC columns for your specific sample needs including reverse phase, normal phase, ion exchange, HILIC, ion exclusion and size exclusion columns. For more specialized HPLC, explore FPLC, countercurrent LC and simulated moving bed systems. Find the best UHPLC and HPLC equipment in our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.LC-MSLC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) systems and equipment are used for separation and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, combining liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Quantify proteins, contaminants, pesticides or screen for drug metabolites with a high level of sensitivity. LC-MS systems and equipment include reverse phase, normal phase and specialized columns integrated with various MS detectors such as time-of-flight (TOF), quadrupole, orbitrap or ion trap mass analyzers. LC-MS/MS instruments equipped with a qTOF or triple quadrupole analyzer give greater sensitivity and resolving power to your analysis. Find the best LC-MS equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. AntibodiesAntibodies are used in techniques such as confocal and fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and immunopreciptation. Select specific antigen reactivity, high specific affinity, low non-specific binding, monoclonal or polyclonal, primary or secondary antibodies and associated conjugates such as an enzyme or dye for visualization.Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.MicroplatesMicroplates are multi-well plates used to increase the throughput of biological investigations. The number of wells microplates contain can range from 6 to 3243 wells, with the 96-well format being the most commonly used. Microplates can come tailored for a range of applications including cell culture, PCR, filtration, storage, non-binding surface, protein crystallization, as well as pre-coated, deep well and normal Standard microplates. Additionally, options for microplate colors include clear , black, white or black with clear bottom and white with clear bottom for absorbance microplate reader applications. Find the best microplates for your lab in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.High-Throughput ScreeningHigh-throughput screening (HTS) is an automated drug discovery technique for identification of active compounds against a compound library. Use HTS readers and integrated assay preparation / analysis workstations to screen your compounds. Identify active compounds against various HTS libraries, including membranes, proteins and peptides and HTS cell lines. Find the best high-throughput screening products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.PCR and Thermal CyclingPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits and thermal cyclers are used for the in vitro amplification of DNA permitting subsequent analysis and experimental procedures. Explore a range of high-quality polymerase, primers and nucleotides or simplify your workflow with a PCR mastermix. Find reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and cDNA synthesis kits for RNA products and libraries. Quantitatively measure the amplification of DNA with real-time PCR (qPCR) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) kits and systems, and discover automated PCR setup solutions to increase throughput. Alternative DNA amplification methods also include recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) kits. Find the best PCR kits and thermal cyclers and purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Balances and Moisture AnalyzersBalances & Moisture Analyzers / weighing scales measure static or dynamic loads. Features to consider when choosing an analytical balance include accuracy, capacity and resolution. Additional features and specialized balances include enclosures for weighing powder, microbalances for measuring small quantities, portable balances, moisture analyzers, top loading balances and internal calibration for measurements over time or with varied temperature.Gel Doc / Image AnalysisGel documentation (gel doc) or gel imaging systems are used for the analysis of proteins, antibodies and nucleic acid immobilized in polyacrylamide or agarose gels, membranes or microarrays. Explore a range of a gel imaging systems, densitometers, scanners, transilluminators or UV lamp + CCD cameras for your image analysis solutions. Colorimetric, fluorescent and/or radioisotopic samples can be visualized and documented for further analysis. See gel doc / Image analysis software for quantitative 1D and 2D analysis of your samples. Find the best gel doc / image analysis products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Pipettes and DispensersPipettes and dispensers are essential lab equipment used to dispense measured volumes of liquid accurately. Explore a range of manual and electronic pipettes, including single and multichannel, serological and volumetric pipettes, as well as a range of pipette tips. Bottle-top dispensers are also available for simple and fast solvent dispensing. Find the best pipettes & dispensers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Washing EquipmentWashing equipment is more convenient than ever before with automated systems, integrated and multi-application systems available. For instance microplate washers can be programmable, combined with reagents dispensers and used for applications such as ELISA, multiplex assays and PCR clean up.Labware and Lab SuppliesLabware and lab supplies include various forms of glassware, plasticware, reagents and personal protective equipment (PPE) and are used across all scientific laboratories, enabling daily tasks to be performed. Explore a range of flasks and beakers, petri dishes, carboys and storage bottles. Labware such as condensers, desiccators and burettes are also available for more specific tasks. Find the best labware and lab supplies in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Microplate Readers / DetectorsMicroplate readers are used to automate the detection and analysis of labeled or label-free components in microplates during assays or live-cell monitoring. Microplate readers are generally distinguished by their mode of detection. Types include absorbance, luminescence, fluorescence intensity, fluorescence polarization, TRF / FRET and multimode microplate readers. Microplate readers deliver a high throughput of samples by reading multiple wells simultaneously, with the 96-well format the most commonly used. As a result, microplate readers are often used in the drug discovery, bioassays, research and pharmaceutical industries for screening applications. Microplate loading can also be automated, with robotic microplate stackers to increase throughput. Find the best microplate readers in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.

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