Life Science Articles

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Regulation of Gene Expression

Gene expression can be regulated by various cellular processes with the aim to control the amount and nature of the expressed genes.

10 Aug 2016

Eukaryotes are multicellular organisms whose cells have a membrane-bound nucleus. This nucleus contains membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus, and the genetic material. Examples of eukaryotes include humans and plants.

10 Aug 2016

Size Exclusion Chromatography (Gel Filtration)

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) separates components of a sample on the basis of their molecular size. Differential exclusion or inclusion of the molecules is achieved via filtration through a gel that contains spherical beads. These beads have pores of a specific size distribution so as to include or exclude molecules of different sizes when they pass through the gel.

9 Aug 2016

How Does Ion Exchange Chromatography Work?

Ion exchange (IEX) chromatography is a technique that is commonly used in biomolecule purification. It involves the separation of molecules on the basis of their charge.

9 Aug 2016

Chromatography Overview

Chromatography in Greek means to ‘write with colors.’ It is a versatile separation technique developed in 1903 by Mikhail Tswett, a Russian botanist. He separated colorful plant pigments using a column of calcium carbonate. Ever since its discovery, chromatography has evolved as a powerful tool in the lab for the separation and identification of different compounds in a mixture.

9 Aug 2016

Affinity Chromatography Applications

There are a variety of uses for affinity chromatography purification techniques. They are being increasingly used to separate pharmaceutical and biological samples nowadays. Here are several ways that the technique is used.

9 Aug 2016

Affinity Chromatography – How Does it Work?

Affinity chromatography is a separation process used to purify molecules or a group of molecules that are in a biochemical mixture. It employs two phases; a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Specific molecules from the moving phase will bond to the stationary phase based on their properties whilst the rest of the solution passing through unaffected.

9 Aug 2016

Brief History of Microscopy

Since ancient times, it has been known that glass can bend light. Light is made up of electromagnetic waves and with properties such as wavelength and frequency, light usually behaves like a wave and can be diffracted.

27 Jun 2016

The Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi Body: What’s the Difference?

The Golgi body (or Golgi complex, apparatus), and Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are both organelles found in the majority of eukaryotic cells. They are very closely associated and show both similarities and differences in structure and function.

27 Jun 2016

Life Science Applications of Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) is a technique used in life sciences to establish the size and size distribution profiles of particles in solution.

20 Jun 2016

Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) Technique

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) is a technique invented in 1984 by the English scientist Alec Jeffreys during research into hereditary diseases. It is used for the analysis of unique patterns in DNA fragments in order to genetically differentiate between organisms – these patterns are called Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTRs).

20 Jun 2016

Electron Microscopy: An Overview

Electron microscopy is a technique that uses a beam of accelerated electrons to illuminate and produce images of specimens. Using electron microscopy, much greater magnification levels and resolution can be achieved than with a light microscope because the wavelength of electrons is so much shorter than that of photons.

14 Jun 2016

Applications in Light Microscopy

Light microscopy has a number of applications in different sectors including in gemmology, metallurgy and chemistry. In terms of biology, it is one of the least invasive techniques for looking at living cells.

14 Jun 2016

Analytical Chemistry

A comprehensive chemical analysis is essential for complete understanding of the chemistry of a substance. A branch of chemistry dealing with the chemical composition of samples and their qualitative and quantitative measurement is known as analytical chemistry.

13 Jun 2016

Spectroscopy Applications

Spectroscopy represents a scientific measurement technique for the studying of matter through its interaction with different components of the electromagnetic spectrum. It can measure light by breaking it down into its component colors with the help of a prism in order to study the resulting spectrum.

13 Jun 2016

Mass Spectrometry Applications

Mass spectrometry represents a powerful technique with a myriad of different applications in biology, chemistry, and physics, but also in clinical medicine and even space exploration.

13 Jun 2016

Primary and Secondary Antibodies: What's the Difference?

An antibody (or immunoglobulin) is a glycoprotein produced by the immune system in response to a ‘foreign’ substance i.e. antigens present on microorganisms.

9 Jun 2016

What is Mass Spectrometry?

Mass spectrometry is an analytical method used to identify different compounds based on the atomic sample constitution of the molecules and their charge state, which enables “blind” analysis of an unknown sample without any prior knowledge of its composition.

7 Jun 2016

Structure and Function of the Cell Nucleus

The cell nucleus is an important organelle found in eukaryotic cells. Its roles include regulating all activity such as cellular metabolism and growth in addition to storing and maintaining the cell’s DNA for transcription and replication.

2 Jun 2016

What are Mitochondria?

Mitochondria are organelles found in the cytoplasm of most cells. They are essential to healthy living as they play an important role in the way cells function in the body. Mitochondria generate energy for cells to carry out activities. This energy is in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). They also take part in cell signalling and help cells sense and adapt to their environment.

2 Jun 2016