Gene expression analysis techniques for stem cell characterization
Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) can differentiate into various cell lineages including bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and neurons.
SLAS 2024: Robots, robots, and more robots!
The main event of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) is its annual International Conference and Exhibition which rotates between Boston and San Diego.
On HTS: Hit Selection
There are two strategies to select hits. You can either rank the samples based on their effect size in the assay and pick top performers or you can pick samples that meet the pre-set threshold. In either case, the goal is to maximize true-positive rates…
On HTS: Z-factor
Imagine you do a high throughput screening campaign, how do you know your assay is reliable enough to generate meaningful hits? Well, one might use signal-to-background (S/B) or signal-to-noise (S/N). However, both parameters fail to fully capture the variability in the sample and the background. Zhang et al. introduced the Z-factor in 1999 to address …
Assay of the Week: Disabled Insecticidal Protein (DIP) assay
Assay of the Week: Disabled Insecticidal Protein (DIP) assay Application: Screening for the alternative MoA (different insect receptors binding) of insecticidal pore-forming toxins. Field: AgBiotech, entomology, protein science. Background: Cry proteins, also known as crystal proteins, are a class of insecticidal proteins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). These proteins/toxins are notable for their …
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On Lab Automation: Liquid Handling Systems
Lab automation has become more and more popular recently mainly due to the demand for high throughput screening and testing. In most cases, when people talk about lab automation, they are referring to liquid-handling systems. As the name indicates, liquid handling systems, also known as liquid handling robots or automated liquid handlers, are robotic devices …
On ELISA: Calibration Curve
King of Immunoassays, ELISA! Probably, there is no need to explain the importance of ELISA here! I am going to have a few posts on ELISA to capture my thoughts and experience. Hopefully, they help others. The ELISA data quality is as good as the quality of the standard curve. So, let’s start this thread …
Miscellaneous
3D printing has emerged as a transformative technology with vast implications across industries, ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to design and education. Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing revolutionizes traditional production methods by creating physical objects layer by layer from digital models. This approach grants unprecedented design freedom, allowing for the creation of intricate …
On Lab Instrumentation
Biological laboratory instruments form the backbone of cutting-edge research and analysis, powering advancements across various scientific disciplines. These sophisticated tools are designed to unravel the mysteries of life, enabling researchers to delve into cellular and molecular processes with precision. From microscopes that unveil the intricate world of cells to DNA sequencers unraveling genetic codes, these …
On High-throughput screening
High-Throughput Screening (HTS) stands as a game-changing technique revolutionizing drug discovery and scientific research. With its rapid and systematic approach, HTS enables researchers to assess a vast number of compounds for their biological activity in a short span of time. This accelerates the identification of potential drug candidates and facilitates the exploration of various target …