Product Reviews

In RNA-based research applications, reverse transcription (RT) is a very critical and crucial step. By utilizing proper RT reagents, RNA can be transcribed into single-stranded cDNA, making PCR and other DNA-based analyses possible. Such analyses are important in...

Recently, I investigated the possibility of a novel fusion protein in lung tumors. Since I had sequence information on one fusion partner, I was able to verify the presence of the 3' end of its transcript with RT-PCR. I then wanted to know...

BrdU, or 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine, is a synthetic analog of the nucleotide thymidine that is incorporated into a cell’s DNA when it is going through cell division, particularly the S-phase of the cell cycle. Because of its similarity to thymidine, BrdU is used in many...

I switched over to LTS pipettes from Rainin a couple of years ago. The ease of pipetting, pipet tip sealing, and simple ejection has been great and has reduced wrist strain and tension. But these are typical pipettes that only offer simple pickup and...

For anyone that does a great deal of genotyping, the first step is always the isolation and purification of DNA from tissue or tail. I have tried several different kits and buffer systems in an attempt to find the purest, easiest, and least repetitive...

Thermal cyclers are a pretty standard addition to any molecular biology lab. There are many companies out there offering several different models with various capacities and features. We do a lot of PCR in the lab so high throughput was one of our main requirements, as well as the ability to optimize...

The Veriti™ thermal cycler from Applied Biosystems is specifically designed to meet the needs of labs performing standard PCR along with PCR optimization in the 96-well format. The Veriti is fast-enabled which means that...

Reagents which are being sold because of their simplicity, ease and convenience constitute a rapidly growing area within the sciences. Ambion’s TRI Reagent® is one such reagent. It can be used for the isolation of RNA, DNA, and/or protein. I have used this reagent...

I have used Molecular Devices’ Vmax 96-well microplate readers since about the time of their inception in the mid to late-1980s. These instruments are all elegant and simple in their form and function. The Vmax Kinetic Microplate Reader is designed...

The ER Stress Monitoring Kit uses the naturally secreted Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) as a reporter. Other uses of the Gluc reporter include: monitoring of protein processing through the secretory pathway; cell viability, growth, proliferation and death. This reporter...