Blotting is used in molecular biology to transfer nucleic acids and proteins from gel to a membrane for identification and analysis. Developed in the 1970s, it combines electrophoresis and immunological methods. There are three main types: Southern (DNA), Northern (RNA), and Western (proteins), each allowing detection and measurement of specific molecules.
Category: Techniques in Microbiology Lab
Melting curve analysis in Real-time PCR
Melting curve analysis and detection systems Melting curve analysis can only be performed with realtime PCR detection technologies in which the fluorophore remains associated with […]
Real-time PCR probes
TaqMan® probe signal production Whether an MGB or non-MGB probe is chosen, both follow the same pattern for signal production. In the early PCR cycles, […]
Nycodenz: application and properties
What is Nycodenz Nycodenz is a non-ionic, triiodinated radiopaque substance used primarily in molecular biology and biochemistry for density gradient centrifugation. Its chemical formula is […]
Luria Broth (LB) and Luria Agar (LA) Media
Luria-Bertani (LB) broth is the most widely used medium for the growth of bacteria. It is a standard medium for propagation of Escherichia coli. It can […]
Real-time PCR fluorescence detection systems
Real-time PCR fluorescence detection systems Real-time fluorescent PCR chemistries Many real-time fluorescent PCR chemistries exist, but the most widely used are 5” nuclease assays such […]
Real-time PCR analysis technology
BaselineThe baseline of the real-time PCR reaction refers to the signal level during the initial cycles of PCR, usually cycles 3 to 15, in which […]
Real-time PCR primer design
Good primer design is one of the most important parameters in real-time PCR. This is why many researchers choose to purchase TaqMan® Assay products—primers and […]
REAL-TIME PCR COMPONENTS
DNA polymerasePCR performance is often related to the thermostable DNA polymerase, so enzyme selection is critical to success. One of the main factors affecting PCR […]
STEPS INVOLVED IN PERFORMING REAL-TIME PCR
Real-time PCR is a variation of the standard PCR technique that is commonly used to quantify DNA or RNA in a sample. Using sequence-specific primers, […]
INTRODUCTION TO REAL TIME POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (RT PCR)
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of the most powerful technologies in molecular biology. Using PCR, specific sequences within a DNA or complementary DNA […]
HOW TO DESIGN PRIMERS FOR YOUR PCR EXPERIMENT
Primers are short stretches of DNA that target unique sequences of a DNA molecule and help identify a unique part of a genome or a […]
DIFFERENTIAL COUNT FOR CSF
AIM: To provide information on the different white blood cells (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes) present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen. MATERIAL/APPARATUS: CSF specimen, […]
HAEMOCYTOMETER CELL COUNT FOR CSF SAMPLE
Cells of mammalian or prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells can be counted in the lab from samples using different kinds of counting chmabers. The neubauer counting […]
Important techniques in microbiology laboratory
DIRECT PLATE COUNTING Direct plate counting is a microbiological technique used to evaluate the actual bacterial content of a product or specimen; and it gives […]
The 3 Rs (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement): Guiding Principles in the Use of Animals For Biomedical/Scientific Research
The use of laboratory animals including mice, rats, rabbits and primates for scientific/biomedical research is guided by some principles and ethical guidelines that ensure the […]
RATIONALE FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF ANIMALS FOR RESEARCH
Animals including (primates, dogs, cats, rabbits, mice) are still being used to conduct scientific/biomedical research because of some of the following reasons: References Alberts B, […]
Issues Surrounding the Use of Animals in Scientific Research
Animals such as mice, rats, rabbits, monkeys and primates are used in biomedical research to test the efficacy and toxicity of novel drugs and vaccines […]
INCUBATION & STERILIZATION TECHNIQUE
Microorganisms are incubated in the incubator at different temperatures and time interval depending on the oxygen requirement of the organisms amongst other vital conditions required […]
CULTURING TECHNIQUE
Culturing technique is used for the propagation of microorganisms in the microbiology laboratory; and it is an important procedure required for studying the morphological characteristics […]
GRAM SMEAR OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF) SAMPLE
AIM: To detect the presence of pus cells and bacteria in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen. MATERIAL/APPARATUS: CSF specimen, Gram staining reagents, microscope, glass slide, immersion […]
MICROSCOPY OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF)
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples are obtained with extra precautions using a technique called lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture is defined a medical procedure in which a […]
MEMBRANE FILTRATION TECHNIQUE
Filtration is simply defined as the separation of particles from fluid or liquids by the use of a porous material that allows the passage of […]
CULTURE OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF)
AIM: To isolate organism from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen as an aid in the diagnosis of cerebrospinal meningitis and other microbial infection of the CSF. […]
MICROSCOPY OF SPUTUM SPECIMEN
AIM: To detect the presence of pus cells and predominant bacteria in sputum specimens as an aid in the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections […]
ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY REACTION
Antigen-antibody reaction is an immunological reaction in which a particular antibody molecule reacts with a specific antigen to form an antigen-antibody complex which is marked […]
ELISA
ELISA is the acronym for “enzyme linked immunosorbent assay”. It is an immunoassay or serological test that is used for the quantification or identification of […]
STREAKING TECHNIQUE
Streaking is a microbiological technique that is used to obtain pure cultures of microorganisms (particularly bacteria) in the laboratory. It usually involves a series of […]
ISOLATION TECHNIQUE
Isolation technique is a microbiology procedure which is used to obtain pure cultures of microorganisms especially from a mixed culture or specimen. It includes culturing […]
GENOTYPIC DETECTION OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT MICROBES
The genotypic detection and characterization of antibiotic resistant genes in pathogenic bacteria is more specific in characterizing resistance genes than the phenotypic detection methods. The […]
FEATURES OF THE VITEK 2 AUTOMATED COMPACT SYSTEM FOR BACTERIAL IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TEST (AST)
Helping the physician select the best treatment at a much faster pace based on the right microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test is crucial in […]
PCR TECHNIQUE
PCR is the acronym for “polymerase chain reaction”. Polymerase chain reaction is the molecular biology technique that is used to amplify or copy specific gene […]
ENZYMES USED IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES
Restriction endonucleases are DNA cutting enzymes specifically found and isolated from bacteria; and which nick specific sites on a nucleotide sequence known as restriction sites. […]
SPUTUM CULTURE TECHNIQUE
Sputum culture is often recommended in the diagnoses of lower respiratory tract infection (e.g. bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary tuberculosis). Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are […]
URINE CULTURE TECHNIQUE
Urine culture is performed in order to specifically identify organisms that may be causing a urinary tract infection (UTI). Urine in the bladder is often […]
BLOOD CULTURE TECHNIQUE
Blood culture is the most important diagnostic method for detecting and diagnosing bacteraemia (presence of bacteria in blood) and fungimia (i.e. presence of pathogenic fungi […]
STOOL CULTURE TECHNIQUE
Stool culture is demanded in the bacteriology laboratory as method for detecting and diagnosing enteric bacterial infections (i.e. infections caused by pathogens in the Enterobacteriaceae […]
LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS/DISEASES
The laboratory diagnosis of fungal infection is mainly based on microscopy and cultural techniques. Several culture media exist for the selective isolation of pathogenic fungi […]
CLASSIFICATION OF MICROORGANISMS BASED ON HAZARDS AND LABORATORY
Pathogenic microorganisms inclusive of viruses, bacteria, and fungi portends health challenges to the general public and healthcare workers or laboratory personnel’s working with these organisms […]
TYPES OF MICROSCOPES
There abound several numbers of microscopes that can be used by a microscopist to view specimens or samples and microorganisms in the laboratory. The choice […]
FUNCTIONS OF THE PARTS OF A MICROSCOPE
The microscope has various parts that perform specific function; and it is important that scientists and students acquaint themselves of these components and their functions […]
THERMOCYCLER (PCR Machine)
Thermocycler or thermal cycler is a piece of equipment is used for the copying or amplification of specific sequences of nucleotides through a controlled timing […]
TECHNIQUES OF REVIVING MICROBIAL CULTURES
The procedures described below are guidelines of the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). They are specific guidelines that will help you to handle your microbial […]
TRYPAN BLUE & HAEMOCYTOMETER
Trypan blue is defined as a dye or stain that enables us to distinguish between living and dead cells. The trypan blue dye passes through […]
CEFTAZIDIME-IMIPENEM ANTAGONISM TEST (CIAT)
Ceftazidime-imipenem antagonism test (CIAT) is one of the phenotypic confirmation tests that can be used to phenotypically confirm AmpC enzyme production in test bacteria isolates […]
CELL DENSITY METER
Cell density meter is an instrument that is used for measuring of the density of (microbial) cells in suspension. The cell density meter is a […]
Glass Plating Beads for spreading bacteria/fungi on culture plate
Glass Plating Beads are reusable beads which helps to spread suspensions of microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) in a culture plate even much more than a […]
FTA CARDS
The acronym FTA stands for “Flinders Technology Association”. FTA CARDS are chemically treated Whatman filter papers that are designed for the collection, preservation and shipment […]
Assessing RNA Purity, Concentration and Integrity
The integrity, purity and concentration of the RNA so isolated should be confirmed before proceeding to the next stage of the experiment. This is critical […]
INOCULATION TECHNIQUE
Inoculation is a microbiology technique which is used to introduce or place specimens and microbial cultures on or into a culture medium. The organism to […]