Mentors at Your Benchside Bitesize Bio

#105 — You may be familiar with standard single fragment ligations: insert, vector, ligase—done! But what if you have a complex cloning project with a massive region of DNA to clone? You can’t PCR the whole thing, and you can’t cut the entire thing out from somewhere else. What do you do?
In this episode, we explain the answer: multiple fragment ligation.
Check out the corresponding article for some handy illustrations and links to related resources. [1] To discover more ways to go about molecular cloning, check out these five approaches. [2] And read this article to dive deeper into how ligation works. [3]
Resources:1. Multiple Fragment Ligation: The Why and How. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/67124/multiple-fragment-ligation/2. Cloning Methods: 5 Different Ways to Assemble. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/26961/cloning-methods-5-different-ways-to-assemble/3. DNA Ligation: How it Works & 6 Top Tips. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/10279/how-dna-ligation-works/

#104 — What funding stream is right for you? Industry or government? Non-profits or crowdfunding? It depends on what you're researching, but also where you want to take your career.
In this episode, Joel Berry, Founder, and Chief Scientist at Astound Research, breaks down the different funding streams and flow of money in bioscience research. Discover the scope and requirements of each type of funding source, and get a breakdown of the overall funding landscape so you can pick the funding stream that works best for you.
Check out the corresponding online article for links to more helpful funding resources. [1] Plus, discover how you can advocate for science funding [2] and dive deeper into whether crowdfunding will work for your project. [3]
Resources:1. Funding Opportunities and the Flow of Money in Science. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/77353/funding-opportunities-landscape/2. Defend Science Funding! A Brief Guide. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/36701/defend-science-funding/3. Kick Start Your Research With Crowdfunding! Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/20876/kick-start-your-research-with-crowdfunding/

#103 — DNA sequencing is a fundamental technique in modern molecular biology that has revolutionized the study of genes.
In the old days, Maxam–Gilbert sequencing was the method of choice, but it has mostly been replaced by Sanger sequencing and Next-Generation methods.
Yet, it still has some niche uses, and in the historical context of DNA sequencing, it’s hugely important!
So, in this episode, learn about what Maxam–Gilbert sequencing is, why it lost popularity, and why some researchers still use it today.
Check out the corresponding article to see if you can read a Sanger sequencing gel and decipher the final amino acid code. [1] And check out our primer on the Sanger sequencing method to learn why it was so advantageous over the Maxam–Gilbert method. [2]
Resources:1. Maxam–Gilbert Sequencing: What It Is and 3 Modern Applications. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/36696/maxam-gilbert-sequencing/2. Sanger Sequencing: How the Genome Was Won. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/27985/sanger-sequencing-genome-won/

#102 — Fluorescence microscopy images not only look great but also allow us to get a better understanding of cells, structures, and tissues. And confocal laser scanning microscopy lets us construct 3D images from 2D micrographs.
In this episode, learn the basic principles of confocal laser scanning microscopy, how the microscopes work, and some of its applications in bioscience and beyond.
Check out the corresponding article for a handy confocal laser scanning microscope diagram. [1] Learn about the Airy unit [2] and check out our guide to choosing a fluorescent protein for your experiments. [3]
Resources:1. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy Explained In 3 Easy Steps. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/19958/confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy/2. Rubbing Your Microscope’s Eyes: A Guide to Optical Resolution. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/13415/rubbing-your-microscopes-eyes-a-guide-to-optical-resolution/3. The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Fluorescent Protein. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/54287/choosing-a-fluorescent-protein/

#101 —  Discover what it takes to become an expert at getting funded, from simple habits such as summarizing what you read in the literature, to big steps such as organizing your very own conference to establish your name in your field.
With over 30 years of experience as a biomedical engineering researcher seeking grants, Joel Berry, Founder, and Chief Scientist at Astound Research, shares his hard-won insights on strategizing your approach to seeking grants. [1] Take a listen to what he has to say.
If you're struggling to keep up to date with the literature in your field, read our tips for staying on top of new publications [2] and get more grant writing advice from a grant reviewer! [3]
Resources:1. How to Become an Expert at Getting Funded. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/77308/how-to-become-an-expert-at-getting-funded/2. Useful Tips to Keep on Top of New Literature. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/10532/search-engines-for-literature-searching/3. What I Learned as a Grant Reviewer. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/30909/learned-grant-reviewer/

#100 — Science attracts so many different and quirky personalities that you are bound to have some people you just don’t get along with. Conflicts happen, and there are many strategies you can take to deal with conflict in the lab. But when your lab supervisor is the problem, it can be a big issue for you.
In this episode, delve into the challenges of dealing with difficult lab supervisors. [1] We identify five common problematic personality traits: passive-aggressive, manipulative, unfocused, micro-manager, and negative reinforcement. Listen and explore practical strategies for addressing each type while remaining professional and constructive.
Check out our related article for further advice on dealing with conflicts in a busy research lab. [2]
Resources:1. Five Types of Difficult Lab Supervisor and How to Handle Them. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/1540/6-types-of-bad-boss-and-how-to-handle-them/2. Dealing with Tension and Conflict in the Lab. Available at: https://bitesizebio.com/27373/dealing-tension-conflict-lab/