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Monday, October 28, 2013

Histopathologists at work !

This video  illustrates a real case study and the discussions  necessary to make conclusions  about immunohistochemical staining.

Is this site working on your mobile device ?

Given that desktop computers have almost disappeared and that it is only a  very small minority who still use laptops , the majority of  students now view  material through their own favorite  mobile device.  However, there is a huge variety of mobile platforms . So let us know if  this site works on your device and feel free to make suggestions to make access easier and faster.   

Amylase becomes a celebrity ?

Many think that  having a sense of humor   is key  to developing a critical  sense in science. This  feature from ONION ,  the well known  satirical web  site  offers a humorous  opportunity ! 

Thursday, October 24, 2013

What is a Histotechnologist ?

Histotechnology is a sub discipline of Biotechnology.  It involves skills in preparing  tissue for microscopic analysis and   more recent techniques such as  IHC (Immunohistochemistry) and FISH  (Fluorescent in-Situ Hybridization) . This article provides links to careers in Histotechnolog. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Basic Techniques in Biotechnology will be offered at Capital in Spring 2014

We are delighted to announce that  Basic Techniques in Biotechnology,   the gateway course to the  Associate  Degree program in Biotechnology  will be offered at Capital in Spring  2014.  This 4-credit course provides an introduction to the basic lab  skills needed by a Biotechnologist.  Such basic skills include accurate pippetting, preparation of solutions, growth of bacteria, basic microscopy, Bioinformatics, preparation of  DNA,  measuring  proteins and nucleic acids using NanoDrop Spectroscopy,  agarose gel electrophoresis,  PCR amplification  and subcloning of DNA fragments. 

For further information  email Dr Cleo Rolle 

Monday, October 21, 2013

An Excellent Talk on Selective Somatic Mutation Therapies in Cancer

This video produced by AACR,  presents a clear  summary of the current biotechnology   approaches to mutation directed cancer  therapies.

Organic Odorants are finding a Market

This article in the Times summarizes the current drive to produce natural odorants via synthetic biology.

Coverting Smart Phone to Digital Microcope

This article describes how to make a very economical  digital microscope  from a smart phone. Such devices will empower students to capture images of  Inquiry-based laboratory exercises.
http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FY4/TBHS/HMMFBB4V/FY4TBHSHMMFBB4V.MEDIUM.jpg

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Biotechnology Training in the 21st Century

 An interesting article in Nature Biotechnology indicates trends that are important for training in  Biotechnology in the 21st century:
 "The introductory analysis highlights a common theme addressed by all interviewees and points to a clear shift in the industry's demand for talent away from the senior scientist positions that tend to be more highly specialized and narrowly focused, to a talent pool consisting of individuals who have interdisciplinary academic training with the ability to work broadly across multiple areas and in project teams where not everyone has to be an expert in everything. Specific skill sets desired among scientists, engineers, clinicians and management teams who work within the industry include strong communications skills that facilitate the translation of the science effectively to stakeholders, a commercial market-based mindset versus an academic mindset, the ability to apply skills to real world problems, comfort with big data management, the capacity to be creative and the willingness to push boundaries."

Monday, October 7, 2013

Nobel Prize for Medicine 2013

"Three scientists have won the Nobel Prize for medicine or physiology after discovering how cells precisely transport material."