What is a Density Gradient Centrifugation? Scientists apply density gradient centrifugation in laboratories to sort particles including cells, organelles, and biomolecules because of their density differences. During density gradient centrifugation a sample sits on top of a density gradient medium formed by substances such as sucrose or cesium chloride. During high-speed centrifuge spinning particles from … Read more
What is Laminar flow hood/cabinet? A laminar flow hood, or laminar flow cabinet, is a type of work environment used in pharmaceutical, medical, and research laboratories that creates a well regulated, sterilised environment when working with delicate material or processes. The main job of a laminar flow hood is to maintain an area free of contaminates by … Read more
Ion exchange chromatography (IEC) is a chromatographic method that exploits the charge properties of the molecules. It employs an insoluble matrix, which is covalently bonded with a charged group, as a stationary phase. These groups will then also have the ability to attract and bind ions that have the opposite charge and that are in the mobile phase, … Read more
What is Dark Field Microscopy? Darkfield microscopy is a form of light microscopy that facilitates detection by contrast. For example, brightfield microscopy uses a light source that shines light directly through the sample in order to illuminate the sample from below; darkfield microscopy uses a condenser that shines light at an oblique angle so that … Read more
What is Fluorescence Microscopy? A fluorescence microscope is an optical microscope that employs fluorescence for examining specific properties of select organic and inorganic substances. A fluorescence microscope functions by observing labeled samples; the labels here are the specific fluorescent molecules (or clusters of molecules)—termed fluorophores—that emit light when stimulated at specific frequencies. Components of a … Read more
The oil immersion method enhances the resolving power of a microscope, enabling light microscopy to distinguish finer details. Immersion oil—clear and colorless, having a refractive index of about 1.515—is placed in between the lens and the specimen. The refractive index is higher; therefore, less light is refracted. If less light is refracted, then less is … Read more
Now, let’s cover the TEM. The best way to get to know the TEM is to understand where and why you’d use one. When would you ever need to see something so small that light can never penetrate it? It’s like staring at an ant—but in space. This is not a microparticle microscope you’d find … Read more
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) produces high-resolution images from an electron beam that scans a focused beam over the surface of a specimen. The benefit of using electrons as opposed to an optical light microscope is that, due to electronegativity, the resultant interactions with the orbitals surrounding the atom create signals that indicate surface morphology … Read more
What is phase contrast microscopy? Okay, so picture this: back in the 1930s, scientists were struggling to study things like living cells or bacteria under a microscope. Why? Because those tiny critters are practically see-through! You couldn’t get a clear look without dunking them in harsh dyes—which, you know, kinda killed them. Not exactly helpful if you … Read more
Confocal microscopy offers some pretty cool perks compared to regular optical microscopes. For starters, it gives you a razor-thin focus depth, cuts out that annoying blurry background glow, and lets you snap crisp, detailed “slices” of thick samples—one after another. This makes it a go-to tool in biomedicine, especially for studying cells and tissues, whether … Read more
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