critical Protocols

Category: Cell Biology and Cell Culture: In Vitro Reconstitution Protocols

The ability to synthesize RNA in the lab is critical to many techniques.Radiolabeled and nonisotopically labeled RNA probes, generated in small scale transcription reactions can be used in blot hybridizations and nuclease protection assays. This article includes information on: Requirements For Transcription, RNA Phage Polymerases, Template Options: Plasmids, PCR Products, Oligonuclotides and cDNA, Sense or Antisense, Conventional Or Large Scale Synthesis, Products for In Vitro Transcription. - [Read Basic Information on In Vitro Transcription]

Category: Cell Culture Protocols: Cell Storing and Cell Freezing Protocols

Cryogenic preservation (storage below -100°C) of cell cultures is widely used to maintain backups or reserves of cells without the associated effort and expense of feeding and caring for them. The success of the freezing process depends on four critical areas: Proper handling and gentle harvesting of the cultures; Correct use of the cryoprotective agent; A controlled rate of freezing; Storage under proper cryogenic conditions. - [Read Cryogenic Preservation and Storage of Animal Cells Protocol]

Category: Immunohistochemistry Protocols: Cryosectioning Protocols

Protocol for cryosectioning. While the timing of the various steps in this protocol are probably not critical, process the tissue all at once to ensure that RNA and/or proteins do not get degraded. Includes: 20% Paraformaldehyde/4% Paraformaldehyde-PBS; Sucrose/PBS. - [Read Cryosectioning Protocol]

Category: DNA Protein Interactions Protocols: Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays EMSA Protocols

Information for EMSA (Gel Shift) technique. Includes: Critical EMSA Reaction Parameters. - [Read EMSA (Gel Shift) Technique Information]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant Genetics Protocols

To accurately predict the activity of a transgene it is critical to understand its location and dynamics in the 3-D interphase nucleus. Developed in situ methods to visualize transgenes (including single copy genes) & their transcripts during interphase from different tissues & plant species. These techniques reduce the time necessary for characterization of transgene integration by eliminating the need for time-consuming segregation analysis and extend characterization to the interphase nucleus - [Read In Situ Methods to Localize Transgenes and Transcripts in Interphase Nuclei]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Live-Cell Imaging Protocols

Live-cell imaging techniques provide critical insight into the fundamental nature of cellular & tissue function, especially due to the rapid advances that are currently being witnessed in fluorescent protein & synthetic fluorophore technology. Because of these advances, live-cell imaging has become a requisite analytical tool in most cell biology labs. Includes: Maintaining Live Cells on the Microscope Stage; Live-Cell Imaging Culture Chambers; Optical System and Detector Requirements etc. - [Read Introduction to Live-Cell Imaging Techniques]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Live-Cell Imaging Protocols

Live-cell imaging techniques provide a critical insight into the fundamental nature of cellular and tissue function, especially due to the rapid advances that are currently being witnessed in fluorescent protein and synthetic fluorophore technology. Because of these advances, live-cell imaging has become a requisite analytical tool in most cell biology laboratories. - [Read Maintaining Live Cells on the Microscope Stage]

Category: Cell Culture Protocols: Cell Culture Contamination Prevention and Removal Protocols

One of the most important, but frequently overlooked, cell culture procedures is testing cultures for microbial contamination, especially mycoplasma. It is critical for every cell culture laboratory to only use cell lines that have been carefully screened for mycoplasma. Fortunately, there is a simple fluorochrome DNA staining test that can detect both mycoplasma and virtually any other prokaryote contaminants. - [Read Mycoplasma Detection Using DNA Staining Protocol]

Category: Primary Cell Isolation and Culture Protocols: Mammalian Cell Culture Protocols

Cryopreserved PBMCs are a common specimen source for studies of immunological responses to vaccines, immunotherapies, etc. The health and viability of cells recovered post-cryopreservation are of course critical to the success and accuracy of immunological assays performed on them. This protocol standardizes PBMC isolation and cryopreservation techniques, specifically for the assessment of thawed cells by cytokine flow cytometry. - [Read Protocol for Isolation, Cryopreservation, and Thawing of PBMCs]

Category: Transfection Protocols: Calcium Phosphate Transfection Protocols

This protocol describes transfection of plasmid DNA into primary hippocampal neurons using DNA/calcium-phosphate (CaPO4) coprecipitation. The precise pH of the transfection medium and the incubation time of cells with the coprecipitate are critical for reproducible and efficient transfection. Once these parameters are optimized for a given plasmid, the method is easily adapted for transfection of other established cell lines. - [Read Transfection of Hippocampal Neurons with Plasmid DNA Using Calcium Phosphate Coprecipitation]