Mentors at Your Benchside
Bitesize Bio
All episodes
Best episodes
Top 10 Mentors at Your Benchside Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Mentors at Your Benchside episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Mentors at Your Benchside for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Mentors at Your Benchside episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Microscope Disinfection: A Quick Guide
Mentors at Your Benchside
06/11/24 • 6 min
#107 — Need to give your microscope a quick clean to get rid of some grime but unsure what cleaning agent to use? Have you had a nasty sample on there recently and need to disinfect it for the next user?
This episode gives you a quick guide to disinfecting your microscopes, including what solvents are safe to use and the parts you should tackle first.
Check out the corresponding article for helpful references. [1] To get a better understanding of the safety of your samples and other people's, read our introduction to safety datasheets. [2]
Resources:
1. Microscope Disinfection: A Quick Guide. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/47987/microscope-disinfection/
2. Deciphering your Materials Safety Data Sheet. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/21848/deciphering-your-materials-safety-data-sheet/
Tissue Processing For Histology: What Exactly Happens?
Mentors at Your Benchside
05/28/24 • 6 min
#106 — Transforming a tissue sample into a slide ready for microscopic exploration involves a series of critical steps. Among these, tissue processing is a fundamental phase bridging tissue fixation and the embedding/sectioning of paraffin blocks.
In this episode, discover what exactly happens in this vital in-between stage, and learn about the six steps that ensure your samples are ready for microscopic examination. [1]
And while you're here, check out our related articles on tissue fixation and embedding/sectioning [2,3], and the five important stages in histology slide preparation. [4]
Resources:
1. Tissue Processing For Histology: What Exactly Happens? Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13469/tissue-processing-for-histology-what-exactly-happens/
2. An Introduction To Fixation For Histology: Think Before You Fix! Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13401/think-before-you-fix/
3. Tissue Embedding and Sectioning: Something to Think About Whilst in the Bath. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13414/tissue-embedding-and-sectioning-something-to-think-about-whilst-in-the-bath/
4. How Histology Slides Are Prepared. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13398/how-histology-slides-are-prepared/
Multiple Fragment Ligation: The Why and How
Mentors at Your Benchside
05/14/24 • 7 min
#105 — You may be familiar with standard single fragment ligations: insert, vector, ligase—done! But what if you have a complex cloning project with a massive region of DNA to clone? You can’t PCR the whole thing, and you can’t cut the entire thing out from somewhere else. What do you do?
In this episode, we explain the answer: multiple fragment ligation.
Check out the corresponding article for some handy illustrations and links to related resources. [1] To discover more ways to go about molecular cloning, check out these five approaches. [2] And read this article to dive deeper into how ligation works. [3]
Resources:
1. Multiple Fragment Ligation: The Why and How. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/67124/multiple-fragment-ligation/
2. Cloning Methods: 5 Different Ways to Assemble. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/26961/cloning-methods-5-different-ways-to-assemble/
3. DNA Ligation: How it Works & 6 Top Tips. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/10279/how-dna-ligation-works/
Maxam–Gilbert Sequencing: What It Is and 3 Modern Applications
Mentors at Your Benchside
04/16/24 • 8 min
#103 — DNA sequencing is a fundamental technique in modern molecular biology that has revolutionized the study of genes.
In the old days, Maxam–Gilbert sequencing was the method of choice, but it has mostly been replaced by Sanger sequencing and Next-Generation methods.
Yet, it still has some niche uses, and in the historical context of DNA sequencing, it’s hugely important!
So, in this episode, learn about what Maxam–Gilbert sequencing is, why it lost popularity, and why some researchers still use it today.
Check out the corresponding article to see if you can read a Sanger sequencing gel and decipher the final amino acid code. [1] And check out our primer on the Sanger sequencing method to learn why it was so advantageous over the Maxam–Gilbert method. [2]
Resources:
1. Maxam–Gilbert Sequencing: What It Is and 3 Modern Applications. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/36696/maxam-gilbert-sequencing/
2. Sanger Sequencing: How the Genome Was Won. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/27985/sanger-sequencing-genome-won/
How to Become an Expert at Getting Funded
Mentors at Your Benchside
03/19/24 • 10 min
#101 — Discover what it takes to become an expert at getting funded, from simple habits such as summarizing what you read in the literature, to big steps such as organizing your very own conference to establish your name in your field.
With over 30 years of experience as a biomedical engineering researcher seeking grants, Joel Berry, Founder, and Chief Scientist at Astound Research, shares his hard-won insights on strategizing your approach to seeking grants. [1] Take a listen to what he has to say.
If you're struggling to keep up to date with the literature in your field, read our tips for staying on top of new publications [2] and get more grant writing advice from a grant reviewer! [3]
Resources:
1. How to Become an Expert at Getting Funded. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/77308/how-to-become-an-expert-at-getting-funded/
2. Useful Tips to Keep on Top of New Literature. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/10532/search-engines-for-literature-searching/
3. What I Learned as a Grant Reviewer. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/30909/learned-grant-reviewer/
Funding Opportunities and the Flow of Money in Science
Mentors at Your Benchside
04/30/24 • 9 min
#104 — What funding stream is right for you? Industry or government? Non-profits or crowdfunding? It depends on what you're researching, but also where you want to take your career.
In this episode, Joel Berry, Founder, and Chief Scientist at Astound Research, breaks down the different funding streams and flow of money in bioscience research. Discover the scope and requirements of each type of funding source, and get a breakdown of the overall funding landscape so you can pick the funding stream that works best for you.
Check out the corresponding online article for links to more helpful funding resources. [1] Plus, discover how you can advocate for science funding [2] and dive deeper into whether crowdfunding will work for your project. [3]
Resources:
1. Funding Opportunities and the Flow of Money in Science. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/77353/funding-opportunities-landscape/
2. Defend Science Funding! A Brief Guide. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/36701/defend-science-funding/
3. Kick Start Your Research With Crowdfunding! Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/20876/kick-start-your-research-with-crowdfunding/
How to Preserve Microorganisms: Store Your Cells Better
Mentors at Your Benchside
02/06/24 • 7 min
#96 — An appropriate microorganism preservation method can make all the difference in maintaining the viability of your microbial strains because it plays a crucial role in ensuring reproducible results and continuity in research.
In this episode, learn the preservation methods for short- and long-term microbe storage, their pros and cons, and the kit you need to do them.
Check out the corresponding article for a list of helpful references. [1] Learn the main ingredients of cell culture media [2] and the steps you can take to keep mammalian cell cultures healthy. [3]
Resources:
1. How to Preserve Microorganisms: Store Your Cells Better. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/45159/how-to-preserve-microorganisms/
2. What’s in Your Cell Culture Medium? Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/37034/cell-culture-medium/
3. How To Keep Your Mammalian Cells Happy And Healthy. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/8146/how-to-keep-your-cells-happy-and-healthy/
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Explained In 3 Easy Steps
Mentors at Your Benchside
04/02/24 • 8 min
#102 — Fluorescence microscopy images not only look great but also allow us to get a better understanding of cells, structures, and tissues. And confocal laser scanning microscopy lets us construct 3D images from 2D micrographs.
In this episode, learn the basic principles of confocal laser scanning microscopy, how the microscopes work, and some of its applications in bioscience and beyond.
Check out the corresponding article for a handy confocal laser scanning microscope diagram. [1] Learn about the Airy unit [2] and check out our guide to choosing a fluorescent protein for your experiments. [3]
Resources:
1. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Explained In 3 Easy Steps. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/19958/confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy/
2. Rubbing Your Microscope’s Eyes: A Guide to Optical Resolution. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13415/rubbing-your-microscopes-eyes-a-guide-to-optical-resolution/
3. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Fluorescent Protein. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/54287/choosing-a-fluorescent-protein/
Practical Applications and Considerations of Phenol-Chloroform Extraction
Mentors at Your Benchside
01/23/24 • 12 min
#94 — While there are lots of methods to choose from for cleaning up your RNA or DNA samples, for many researchers, phenol-chloroform is the go-to technique.
In this episode, go beyond the basics of how the method works and get expert practical guidance on performing and optimizing it.
Plus, learn the differences between the common solvents, how to check and adjust the pH of the phenol phase, and get tips to reduce the amount of interphase.
Check out the corresponding online article for a diagram illustrating how you can reduce the interphase. [1] Learn the theory behind the technique in our easy explainer [2] and explore four other ways you can clean up DNA samples. [3]
Resources:
1. Practical Application of Phenol-Chloroform Extraction. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/3651/practical-application-of-phenol-chloroform-extraction/
2. The Basics: How Phenol Extraction of DNA Works. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/384/the-basics-how-phenol-extraction-works/
3. Five Ways to Clean Up A DNA Sample. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/142/5-ways-to-clean-up-a-dna-sample/
Personal Advice on How to Respond to Criticism of Your Grant Proposal Reviews
Mentors at Your Benchside
10/15/24 • 13 min
#113 — Learning how to respond to criticism is an unavoidable aspect of grant applications. Follow all instructions from funding agencies to avoid immediate rejection.
This episode of Mentors At Your Benchside gives you some simple strategies to ensure you respond to criticism in a constructive and proportionate way.
For example, identifying reviewers can help you tailor your responses, but don't mention them by name! Plus, using a two-column document to systematize the criticisms and responses is a great way to organize feedback and distance yourself emotionally from it.
Hit play for more tips, check out the original article for links to helpful resources [1], and check out our complete guide to funding series for advice on getting your research funded—directly from a former NIH grant reviewer [2].
Resources:
1. Personal Advice on How to Respond to Criticism of Your Grant Proposal Reviews. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/80095/respond-to-criticism/
2. The Complete Guide to Funding I: How to Become an Expert at Getting Funded. Available at: https://events.bitesizebio.com/the-complete-guide-to-funding-i-how/join
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Mentors at Your Benchside have?
Mentors at Your Benchside currently has 113 episodes available.
What topics does Mentors at Your Benchside cover?
The podcast is about Life Sciences, Podcasts, Science, Dna, Phd and Crispr.
What is the most popular episode on Mentors at Your Benchside?
The episode title 'Funding Opportunities and the Flow of Money in Science' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Mentors at Your Benchside?
The average episode length on Mentors at Your Benchside is 9 minutes.
How often are episodes of Mentors at Your Benchside released?
Episodes of Mentors at Your Benchside are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Mentors at Your Benchside?
The first episode of Mentors at Your Benchside was released on Jun 28, 2022.
Show more FAQ
Show more FAQ