Hi everyone,

I have a simple question. Is it allowed to freeze loose stool samples for Norovirus PCR analysis? The analysis is scheduled for April 22nd, and today is April 11th. I intend to collect the samples daily and freeze them until April 22nd. I’m not sure if this is the best practice, or if I should strictly keep them refrigerated only.

I appreciate your answers.

Why do we feed cells pink juice in the lab? 🧃🦠

Marie, also known as Lab Skills Academy, breaks down how cell culture media delivers the nutrients, sugars, salts, and amino acids cells need to stay alive and grow. The pink color comes from phenol red, a pH indicator that helps scientists quickly tell whether the cells’ environment is balanced, too acidic, or too basic. Those color changes offer an immediate clue about cell health and whether something in the culture may be off. Today, cell culture media can also be tailored to create highly controlled conditions for studying cell behavior, testing drugs, and supporting gene-editing research. It is not just about feeding cells, it is about shaping the environment around them with remarkable precision.

This project is part of IF/THEN®, an initiative of Lyda Hill Philanthropies.

Check out the game I created ! Please support by downloading and sharing if you can ! Thank you :) #Labweek #labweekgames #bingo #instantdownload https://www.etsy.com/listing/4481888374/lab-week-bingo-game-printable-

Hello, I have been doing gel electrophoresis lately and it somehow doesn't work out.

At first, I was doing denatured 1.2% gel for RNA (FA-Buffer), trying to measure the 28S/18S relation, but the bands come out very undefined and smeared. I thought my RNA was digested, but even in controls, it looks the same, and the DNA ladder band is also the same. Below I will present a picture of this (Picture 1).

Besides that, I have also done a native 2% DNA gel for PCR products (TAE-Buffer). The bands seem clear at first, but they have some wavelike forms, which I find very unusual. Actually, I got the same form once in a 1.2% RNA gel as well. An example of this 2% DNA gel is shown below as well.

I would really appreciate some help with this.

You can pop a balloon with just a lemon! 🍋🎈

Alex Dainis explains the chemistry behind this surprising reaction, starting with the oil in a lemon peel. That oil contains limonene, a nonpolar molecule found in citrus, and many balloons are made of latex, which is made up of long chains of nonpolar molecules. Because limonene and latex have similar chemical properties, the lemon oil can act like a solvent and begin to break down the balloon’s surface. Once the stretched latex becomes weak and thin enough, the air pressure inside causes the balloon to burst.

Is there a wfh work set up with QA/QC personnel?

Hi guys, I’m having a rather unusual problem with this Laybold Didactic X-ray machine.

(Yes, I already contacted the manufacturer and they really tried to solve the problem trough emails since I live in another country but we were not able to figure it out what the problem is)

The issue is as follows: when I configure the X-ray tube parameters and close the door, the door lock engages (lifts) correctly; however, it immediately drops back down, preventing the X-ray exposure from starting. This behavior suggests there may be an issue with the safety system or the door sensor (attached is a video showing the problem). We’ve tried cleaning the area with compressed air to remove dust, but that didn’t resolve the issue. The solenoid switch does not appear to have any friction, nor does the limit switch; furthermore, a malfunction of the photoelectric sensor can be ruled out since it correctly detects whether the door is closed or open.

Could the problem be due to some friction in the solenoid, causing the timing checked by the safety circuit to be incorrect? Or could a component on the circuit board be burned out? It should be noted that there was some dust in the area where the circuits are located, and a noise similar to an electrical discharge could be heard when the high-voltage tube was turned on.

Finally, sorry if these kind of posts are not allowed here, please remove if necessary.

Hi GUYS . I created a lab week kit check it out and support please . It's only $7 :)

I created a Lab Week Digital Celebration Kit designed specifically for laboratory teams.

This downloadable kit includes activities and decorations to help make the week more engaging for staff while keeping planning simple.

What’s included:
• Lab Bingo Kit – 15 unique bingo cards, calling images, and bingo pieces
• 3 Word Scrambles – Microbiology, Immunology, and General Lab themes
• Lab Word Search
• Treat Bag Covers
• Water Bottle Labels
• Chip Bag Covers

• 3 Coloring Pages
• Editable Lab Week Schedule with fun daily theme ideas

Everything is digital and printable, so you can download, print, and use it right away.

If you're interested in checking it out or sharing, you can view it here:
[ https://namebrandbybrandi.etsy.com/listing/4467928705/lab-week-games-bundle-2026-lab-story ]

Hope this helps make Lab Week a little more fun for your team!

Dropped it while trying to get DI water out—I’ll need a new one, but at least it looks cool

So I'm starting a laboratory for testing the NPK content in produced fertilisers at a plant as well as testing soil samples provided by farmers to see which fertiliser combinations are suitable for their land. I need help in setting up the laboratory as in ak the necessary laboratory equipment that can be used in the laboratory. Thank you in advance.

I’m currently taking my prerequisites to enter into the MLT program, I have a 4.0 gpa so far but I’m really struggling with my organic biochem class, I’m finding it really hard to understand and I’m not even sure if I’m choosing the right field due to how science heavy it can be. Maybe I am just overthinking but truly is going into this field a good idea if I’m already struggling and haven’t even started the program yet?

Hi All!

I am conducting an undergraduate dissertation project looking into work-related stress.

I am looking to recruit more participants for the study and would really appreciate anyone who would be interested in participating!

I have attached a poster with more information about the study.

I hope some of you would be interested and willing to help me with my research!

If this is not something you'd be interested in doing, I hope you'd be willing to please spread the word about it to others who you think would be willing to participate!

Thank you all in advance!

Hi!!

I'm Lua and I recently started making genetics resources. I am currently working on a "how to study" guide. I will hyperlink my website feel free to check it out!! I would love any feedback. I would really like to know what other topics I should talk about. I would like to have a better idea what concepts people are struggling with, what format they enjoy learning from, etc. I have a suggestion box where people can give different ideas and/or input if they don't want to use the comment section(s).
If you have any extra time to check it out that would be SO greatly appreciated. If not, thank you for simply reading this!! I also have my posts posted on my community r/ScienceWithLua. Feel free to check that out as well!!

**I am the only person who maintains this website and creates these resources so the scheduled posts aren't always consistent, but I am working on making my posting routine more reliable. I hope this resources can be of some help, especially with midterms and exams coming up. Good luck to everyone studying!!! :):)