Today everyone is talking about digitalization. Businesses are starting to realize that digitalization defines the survival of the organization. Interestingly, laboratories are often the last that undergo such transformation. The reason is often not money. It’s because laboratories are data factories with processes that are continuously improving and therefore the most complex organizations to digitalize.
Many aspects of modern life are becoming tied with the digital world. You are using your smartphone to read emails, order taxi, check for directions and order food. But there is a place in this world that remained more or less immune to digitalization – a research laboratory.
Price is often one of the first and most important factors lab managers consider when purchasing a new qPCR machine. One reason for this is that it obviously has a direct and immediate impact on your lab’s budget.
However, there are also a few more hidden costs, such as the running cost of the cycler, that are far less obvious as they are spread over the years. And they can make a big difference. Let’s explore those more in detail.
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (or qPCR) is a well-established assay for nucleic acid quantification and is still regarded as the method of choice in most areas of molecular biology. Though different types of qPCR quantification exist (absolute and relative), determining the amplification efficiency should be among the first things to do when setting up a qPCR assay. Understanding efficiency and how to calculate it is crucial for accurate data interpretation.
Quantitative PCR (or qPCR), microarrays and RNA sequencing are all very valuable assays for in-depth gene expression analysis. But which one should you choose over the other for your next big experiment? Well quite frankly, it mostly depends on the goals of the project, your budget, and the organism of interest.
For many of us the process of pipetting transitioned into a subconscious routine to which we devote little thought after only a little practice, despite quality assurance placing great emphasis on liquid handling, pipette accuracy, repair and maintenance. Nevertheless, ensuring the competence of pipette operators (lab employees) is a way-too-often often neglected activity.
Globalization is driving competitiveness in the business space at an unprecedented pace, pushing companies to constantly look for lean ways of improving their business. A clever place to start is resource allocation. When planning a new project, the first task is to evaluate its scope and allocate your talent and finances accordingly. This might sound straightforward, but it’s actually a treasure chest of overlooked opportunities for business optimization and company growth.
The method of choice for nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) quantification in all areas of molecular biology is real-time PCR or quantitative PCR (qPCR). The method´s name derives from the fact that the amplification of DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is monitored in real time. It is a quantitative method in contrast to conventional PCR, meaning that it enables the determination of exact amounts (relative or absolute) of amplified DNA in samples.