In the past two decades, there have been many revolutions in light microscopy techniques made possible by improvements in optics, detector technology, and computers. Furthermore, there is no indication that the rate of development of new equipment is slowing down. Here we attempt to provide an overview of available options and important considerations applicable to imaging Drosophila cells and tissues. - [Read Selection of Appropriate Imaging Equipment and Methodology for Live Cell Imaging in Drosophila]
When many RNA samples are to be processed or when working with small amounts (<50 µg) of total mammalian RNA, the technique of choice is batch chromatography on oligo(dT)-cellulose. The method described in this protocol uses a combination of temperature and ionic strength to maximize binding and recovery of polyadenylated RNA. IMPORTANT: Prepare all reagents used in this protocol with Diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC)-treated H2O. Joseph Sambrook and David W. Russell. - [Read Selection of Poly(A)+ RNA by Batch Chromatography - Subscription Required]
Germ layers are multipotent tissues that have the ability to differentiate into various tissue types. Isolation and manipulation of germ layers is important for examining differentiation. This protocol describes a method for separating postimplantation germ layers. - [Read Separating Postimplantation Germ Layers Protocol]
Sterile technique is one of the most important steps in insuring consistent results when employing recombinant DNA and protein expression techniques. Dr. Chazin Lab, Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt Univ. - [Read Sterile Technique for DNA and Protein Expression]
Protocol describes the trypsinization of cells in monolayer culture to facilitate subculture or harvesting. To avoid cross-contamination of cells, it is important for each cell line to be subcultured independently. No more than one cell line should be in the tissue culture hood at any one time. - [Read Trypsinization of Cells Grown in Monolayer Protocol]
Accumulation of lipophilic substances, many of which may be environmental chemicals, affects the membrane lipid order and consequently affects the functions of these proteins. Since, the function of important cellular proteins, such as the H+-ATPase strongly depends upon the integrity of the lipid bilayer, the activity of the H+-ATPase may be used as a sensitive indicator of the effect that a chemical may have on the viability of the cell. - [Read Yeast Plasma Membrane H+ -ATPASE Toxicity Test]
Tubulin is polymerized into microtubules by incubating tubulin at 37°C with GTP. A nucleation seed is added when the purpose is to assay microtubule elongation. Tubulin can also be polymerized for the purposes of recycling the tubulin or labeling the microtubules with fluorescently labeled tubulin. Based on the protocol by Timothy Mitchison of Harvard University.
Paraffin Embedding Protocol for molecular profiling. This Paraffin Embedding Protocol describes the processing of the tissues into sections following ethanol fixation. Molecular profiling (MP) is a technique that is used to visualize the global patterns of RNA expression or protein expression in various cell types and disease processes.
In Vitro Translated Xenopus Mos Kinase Assay Protocol. In response to progesterone, immature Xenopus oocytes mature to eggs that can be fertilized. The Mos protein kinase is essential for oocyte maturation, most likely due to its ability to activate the MAP kinase cascade. This MAP kinase cascade eventually leads to the activation of Cdc2/cyclin B and entry into M phase. In this protocol, tagged Mos kinase is translated in vitro, immunopurified, and used in a kinase assay.
A protocol for the selection of Phage Antibodies using Immobilized Antigen. This method describes the selection of antibodies from bacteriophage antibody libraries that recognize a specific antigen. The phage display library of antibody-displaying phage particles is exposed to antigen attached to a solid substrate (Nunc Immuno™ tubes). The phage particles with affinity for antigen bind to the immobilized antigen and are selected from the library of phage expressing antibodies.
The DNA Ligation protocol described here contains the steps required to join together using ligase enzyme both plasmid DNA and insert DNA fragments in order to create a new plasmid. This new ligated plasmid can be transformed after into competent bacteria to produce DNA for mini, midi or maxi-prep isolation.
This protocol a protocol on how to generate transfected embryonic stem (ES) cell clones. The previous protocol in this series is the Protocol for Electroporation of ES cells. The next protocol in the series is the Protocol on Disaggregation, Expansion, and Freezing of Transfected ES Clones.