Monthly Archives: October 2010

The Nikon Small World competition is a microscopists opportunity for 15 minutes of fame. This competition is also for anyone who appreciates photography. This competition has been around since 1974 and is designed to recognize those involved in photography while … Continue reading →

Stereomicroscopy is helpful in almost any endeavor requiring a long working distance and relatively modest magnification. Stereoscopic microscopes are commonly referred to as “dissecting microscopes” but their applications are much more diverse. Biology, botany and almost any other area of … Continue reading →

Salmonella is a gram negative rod shaped bacilli that can cause havoc and even death in mammals. Salmonella is named after Dr. Daniel E. Salmon, who with the aid of Theobald smith discovered this strain of bacilli. Salmonella is spread … Continue reading →

Want to know how to create Halloween Fog? Get your trusty dry ice machine and make some dry ice first. Don’t have a dry ice machine? Then go to your local welding supply, chances are they’ll have some dry ice. … Continue reading →

The Kirby Bauer method is a laboratory technique used to determine the efficacy of a given antibiotic or antimicrobial agent. Paper disks containing specific concentrations of the antibiotic or antimicrobial agent are placed on the agar surface containing a lawn … Continue reading →

Cellular respiration is imperative in the process of gaining useful energy for cells. It is a process in which metabolic reactions covert nutrient molecules into ATP (adenosine triposphate) and then release waste products. A key component in cellular respiration or … Continue reading →

When we think of patents related to genetic material we think of the PCR process patented by LaRoche. There are actually over 3,000 to 5,000 patents on human genes and over 47,000 patents on inventions involving genetic material. Patenting naturally … Continue reading →

Bacterial cells are surrounded by a cell wall that contains peptidoglycan, which is only found in prokaryotes. Peptidoglycan is a polymer held together by covalent bonds. A molecule made of four amino acids, a tetrapeptide, helps hold peptidoglycan together. Not … Continue reading →

PH (Potential of Hydrogen) is a measure of acidity or basicity of a solution. Acidic liquids releases hydrogen into a solution and basicity removes it. PH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, where 7 is considered neutral. … Continue reading →

Bottle top filters and sterile receivers aid the researcher in preparing sterile solutions for their work. For example cell culture media must be prepared sterile. Many different membrane materials are available including Nylon, Cellulose Acetate, Cellulose Nitrate, and Polyether Sulfone … Continue reading →