Current Protocols Essential Laboratory Techniques最新文献

Today's science is largely funded by taxpayer dollars, and because of this, scientists have a responsibility to ensure that their research is being effectively communicated back to taxpayers and to the policy makers who determine the distribution of those funds. The importance and impact of effective science communication is compounded when research is used to inform legislative action. Science impacts policy, and policy can impact science. However, the formal education of scientists does not usually include specific training on interacting with science policy. This article describes strategies for engaging with science policy—starting with simple and easy policy actions, and delving into more complex event planning and group organizing tasks. Whether advocating for evidence-based policies or policies that impact the scientific enterprise or STEM education, practicing skills pertinent to science policy can help you gain comfort in translating your experiences and experiments into lasting change. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The understanding and application of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) systems and CRISPR-associated (Cas) nucleases have helped genome editing become a standard laboratory technique. CRISPR-Cas nucleases are RNA-programmed DNA-cutting enzymes that facilitate the introduction of intentional sequence changes into the genomes of experimental cells and organisms. This overview provides a background for genome editing and CRISPR-Cas nucleases, as well as an overview of the technology used to assess the outcomes of genome editing. © 2019 The Authors.

Since its introduction as a laboratory organism 50 years ago, the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has become one of the most widely used and versatile models for nearly all aspects of biological and genomic research. Many experiments in C. elegans begin with the generation and analysis of mutants that affect a specific biological process, so genetic techniques are the foundation of worm research. Many different aspects of biology are being studied in C. elegans, and three different recent Nobel Prizes have recognized six researchers working with worms. In addition, C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have its genome sequenced, so many of the standard genomic methods have also been pioneered in C. elegans. In fact, many novel techniques and ideas are initially tested in C. elegans because of its versatility as a research organism. It is also appropriate for introducing undergraduate students to research, and some of its strengths and challenges for this purpose are discussed. © 2019 The Authors.

Cover: In Sullivan et al. (https://doi.org/10.1002/cpet.32), The “Edit” button on an OSF Preprint. This is only visible and available to authors of the preprint. See e32.

This article describes common laboratory procedures that can reduce the risk of culture contamination, collectively referred as “aseptic technique.” Two major strategies of aseptic work are described: using a Bunsen burner and a biosafety cabinet. Both methods are presented in the form of general protocols applicable to a variety of laboratory tasks such as pipetting and aliquotting, preparation of growth media, inoculation, passaging, and spreading microorganisms on petri dishes. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

By implementing more transparent research practices, authors have the opportunity to stand out and showcase work that is more reproducible, easier to build upon, and more credible. Scientists gain by making work easier to share and maintain within their own laboratories, and the scientific community gains by making underlying data or research materials more available for confirmation or making new discoveries. The following protocol gives authors step-by-step instructions for using the free and open source Open Science Framework (OSF) to create a data management plan, preregister their study, use version control, share data and other research materials, or post a preprint for quick and easy dissemination. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized molecular biology and has enabled many other technologies and applications commonly used in research, and is part of many life science products. This unit will cover the basic principles of PCR, including how to carry out PCR in a laboratory that has not used this powerful technique previously. In addition, a number of different applications utilizing the basic PCR technique will be described. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Managing references, inserting citations, and creating bibliographies take a considerable amount of our time in the academic world. Tools are now available in the form of citation software that can easily help us produce highly professional bibliographies easily. This article provides a beginners guide to such software with tips on using them effectively. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

This unit lists recipes for many of the buffers and other reagents typically found in a molecular biology laboratory. For reagents specific to a given technique, refer to the unit describing the method. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.