Timing
We start work at 09:00 sharp, This makes the lab work more efficient as it is easier to communicate when everyone is at the same place at the same time. It is also easier to get started in the morning as the lab fills up quickly. If you can not make it to 09:00, let us know in the WhatsApp chat (see below).
Get a Google account
You will need a google account to access the primer and freezer lists and for booking the PCR machine.
Join the “LGM Laboratory” WhatsApp group
Get an ORCID number
This is important for your future academic career. Get it here. This wikipedia entry explains what an ORCID is.
Get organized
Please follow the guidelines regarding How to mark your material and maintaining lab notes.
Learn how to pipette fast and with precision
Pipetting with both accuracy and precision is maybe the most important skill for any molecular or microbial biologist. Follow the instructions and be sure to follow the recommendations on use and care of the pipettes. Calibrate you P20 and P200 pipette using the instructions in order to verify both the pipette and you ability to use it.
PCR primers
We keep a list of PCR primers here. When ordering new primers, add them to the top of this list and give them a number.
Our PCR machine
You also need access to the Biorad T100 Google Calendar. We use this for booking the PCR machine in the lab. Book by adding your name and the time you want to use the machine:
PCR simulation
Use Pydnaweb
PCR time estimation
Use the Biorad T100 program time estimator estimator to book the PCR machine only the time you need.
Autoclave
The autoclave is run three times per day (see autoclaving). There is no autoclave that we can run independently at this moment. Plan well for this since your work will be delayed otherwise.
Sr Luis runs the autoclave. There is a specific documentation procedure to follow when autoclaving your material.
Revive strains
When you revive strains from the -80°C freezer, take pictures of the tubes as show in the two pictures below. Make sure the name of the box is visible as well as the writing on the tube. Add these pictures to your lab notes. This is very useful for future reference.
Saving your work
You will likely make new microbial strains or genetic constructs during your stay in the lab. You need to save these in the -80°C freezer after they have been confirmed to be correct. We keep a list of frozen strains in this google spreadsheet: -80. Please follow these instructions to freeze your strains: Yeast and bacterial freezer stocks.
Location and names of all boxes in -80 freezer DEEPFREEZER 8. This freezer is located next to the aquarium. Define your initials in order to deposit in the -80°C freezer here: Depositors List of restriction and other enzymes Enzymes_LGM
Get to know your new friend
We work mostly with baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An enormous amount is known about this organism. Getting Started With Yeast is a gentle introduction written by Fred Sherman, University of Rochester. Sherman F. Getting started with yeast. Methods Enzymol 2002;350:3–41. A pdf is available. Please read it to get more familiar with this fascinating organism.
In particular, we follow the genetic nomenclature for Saccharomyces cerevisiae defined in this document.
Competent E. coli
Please record here when you make new competent cells. This is so that we can trace competency.
Taq polymerase
Please record here when you make new Taq polymerase.
Taq polymerase
Please record here when you make new PennStateLadder.
Short plasmid names
Do you need a short name for your plasmid to write on the Eppendorf tube? Record it here and get a π number. You can for example call your plasmid π43 which is short and easy to search for on your computer MECPlasmidNames
Yeast Genome Deletion Primers
These primers were used by the Yeast Genome Deletion project. There are errors in this table, make sure to check primers before ordering Yeast Genome Deletion Primers and PCR product Sizes.
Get an eLabFTW account
This is our electronic notebook. Get it here.
Checklist
- Arrive at 09:00
- ORCID (https://orcid.org)
- CIÊNCIA ID (https://www.ciencia-id.pt)
- Gmail
- Joined the LGM Google spreadsheet (invite needed)
- Joined the Google doc Primer list (invite needed)
- Joined the BIORAD T100 Google calendar (invite needed)