major Protocols

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Confocal Microscopy Protocols

There are two major forms of laser scanning microscopy: confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and multiphoton laser scanning microscopy (MPLSM). Information on: X-t scans and X-Y scans; Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy; Multiphoton Laser Scanning Microscopy; MPLSM requires no pin hole; Advantages of MPLSM over CLSM. - [Read Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy]

Category: RNAi Technology Protocols: RNAi Drosophila Protocols

Protocol describes how subcellular-sized particles are accelerated to high velocity to carry double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into Drosophila embryos.  The major advantage of this procedure over microinjection (Microinjection of dsRNA into Drosophila Embryos) is that particle bombardment is easier and faster to perform.  In addition, the mechanical trauma received is far less than by microinjection, allowing better survival of embryos and fewer phenotypic artifacts. - [Read Delivery of dsRNA into Drosophila Embryos by Gene Gun Protocol]

Category: Tetrahymena Protozoa Protocols

The method for freezing Tetrahymena has undergone major modifications over the years. - [Read Freezing and Thawing Tetrahymena Cultures Protocol]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Genetics Protocols

Protocol describes the use of glufosinate ammonium to select transformed Arabidopsis plants. The major advantage of glufosinate ammonium selection is that it can be performed on plants growing in soil and does not require the use of sterile techniques. - [Read Glufosinate Ammonium Selection of Transformed Arabidopsis Protocol]

Category: Pharmacology and Toxicology Protocols: Cytotoxicity Protocols: Cell Specific Cytotoxicity Assays Protocols

Accumulation of lipophilic substances in the plasma membrane may affect the membrane lipid order and consequently affect the function of these proteins.  Changes in the activity of the Na+/K+ -ATPase, which is the major active transport system responsible for the electrochemical potential in mammalian cells, can therefore be an indication of the effect that a chemical may have on the viability of the cell membrane and possibly the whole cell. - [Read Hamster Ovary Cell NA+/K+ -ATPase Test]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Plant DNA RNA Isolation Protocols

Retroelements and their derivatives are a ubiquitous and abundant component of plant genomes. Major classes of retroelements include the Pseudoviridae (Ty1-copia ), the Metaviridae (Ty3 -gypsy) and the Retroposineae LINE (non-LTR) groups. All reverse transcribing elements can be included in a universal classification. Includes: Pseudoviridae (Ty1-copia) Degenerate Primers; Metaviridae (Ty3-gypsy) Element Degenerate Primers; LINE Element Degenerate Primers; PCR Programmes. - [Read Isolation of Retroelement from Plant Genomic DNA]

Category: Protein Protocols: Protein Quantitation Concentration Protocols

Find a list of assays for the determination of protein concentration in a solution.  This list includes the sensitivity range, volume/amount of sample needed, subjective comments on accuracy and convenience, and major interfering agents.  Procedural details, equipment requirements, and references are outlined in the individual assay documents. - [Read List of Protein Assays]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: Live-Cell Imaging Protocols

GFP serves as a molecular marker that can be imaged dynamically in living cells, both in its native form & as a fusion to other proteins. For GFP imaging, plants present the challenge of autofluorescence from chlorophyll, lignified cell walls, vacuolar contents, and other cell materials, all of which can obscure the GFP signal. Maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio is a major concern, and careful consideration should be given to the choice of tissue imaged, GFP expression level, etc. - [Read Live-Cell Imaging of GFP in Plants]

Category: Genetics and Genomics: Genotyping Protocols: PCR Genotyping

Plasmodium vivax is the second most prevalent malaria parasite affecting more than 75 million people each year, mostly in South America and Asia. In addition to major morbidity this parasite is associated with relapses and a reduction in birthweight. Practical PCR genotyping protocols based on polymorphic loci present in two P. vivax genetic markers. - [Read Practical PCR Genotyping Protocols for Plasmodium vivax using Pvcs and Pvmsp1]

Category: Cytoskeleton Protocols: Intermediate Filaments Protocols

Intermediate filaments (IF) are major cytoskeletal systems of vertebrate and many nonvertebrate cells whose expression is cell-type specific and developmentally regulated. This protocol describes the x-rhodamine labeling of one type of IF, vimentin, and a method for microinjection of the labeled vimentin into cultured cells. IF dynamics can then be examined with fluorescence microscopy. - [Read Preparation and Microinjection of x-Rhodamine-Labeled Vimentin Protocol]

Category: Cytoskeleton Protocols: Intermediate Filaments Protocols

Intermediate filaments (IF) are major cytoskeletal systems of vertebrate and many nonvertebrate cells whose expression is cell-type specific and developmentally regulated. This protocol describes a method for purifying one type of IF, vimentin, from bovine lens tissue. Purification of human vimentin expressed in Escherichia coli is also described. These methods are useful in the preparation of other IF protein subunits for microinjection studies as well. - [Read Purification of Bovine Lens and Bacterially Expressed Human Vimentin Protocol]

Category: Cell Organelle Protocols: Subcellular Fractionation Protocols: Peroxisome Isolation Protocols

Peroxisomes can be purified in self-generated iodixanol gradients in high yield (80-90%) with no detectable contamination from any other organelle. In iodixanol peroxisomes are the densest of the major subcellular organelles (ρ = 1.18-1.20 g/ml) present in the light mitochondrial fraction from mammalian tissues and cells. - [Read Purification of Peroxisomes in a Self-Generated Gradient]

Category: Plant Biology Protocols: Arabidopsis Transformation Protocols

Protocol for a simplified Arabidopsis transformation. Found that the MS salts, hormone, etc. make no difference, that OD of bacteria doesn't make much of a difference, that vacuum doesn't even make much of a difference as long as you have a decent amount of surfactant present. Plant health is still a major factor - healthy fecund plants make a big difference! With this method you should be able to achieve transformation rates above 1%. - [Read Simple Arabidopsis Transformation Protocol]

Category: Microscopy Protocols: In Vivo Imaging Protocols

Sophisticated fluorescence microscopy methods & equipment, now allow cellular events to be studied at high resolution in living material. The studying of living fly tissues presents unique difficulties in keeping the cells alive, introducing fluorescent probes, & imaging through thick hazy cytoplasm. This protocol outlines the preparation of major tissue types amenable to study by time-lapse cinematography and different methods for keeping them alive. - [Read Time-Lapse Cinematography in Living Drosophila Tissues: Preparation of Material]

Category: Drosophila Protocols

Protocol outlines the preparation of major tissue types amenable to study by time-lapse cinematography and different methods for keeping them alive. - [Read Time-Lapse Cinematography in Living Drosophila Tissues: Preparation of Material Protocol]

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

No cell culture problem is as universal as that of culture loss due to contamination. All cell culture laboratories and cell culture workers have experienced it. Culture contaminants may be biological or chemical, seen or unseen, destructive or seemingly benign, but in all cases they adversely affect both the use of your cell cultures and the quality of your research. Contamination problems can be divided into three classes: Minor annoyances, Serious problems, Major catastrophes. - [Read Understanding and Managing Cell Culture Contamination Protocol]

Category: Immunohistochemistry Protocols: Antigen Retrieval Protocols

The principle behind the pressure cooker method described here is to use extended periods of heat to break some of the subcellular structures that block antibody access. This approach is appropriate for handling specimens on glass slides. The major advantages of the pressure cooker method are the ability to handle a large number of slides simultaneously, the convenience of using metal racks, and the avoidance of any hot spots that are found in the microwave. - [Read Unmasking Hidden Epitopes Using the Pressure Cooker Protocol]