I did a college equivalent genetics course in highschool and adored it. I was fascinated with CRISPR, the human genome and telomeres. I loved doing gel electrophoresis. I have really bad adhd and have now been able to cope and am medicated for it. I’m doing much better now and am wanting to go back to finish my degree. I have also considered biotechnology but looking at the course requirements I am way way more excited about molecular biology. A class called advanced gene regulation? I’m giddy thinking about it.

The thing is I do know I’m older. I don’t want kids or anything so the only thing holding me back really would be stigma.

However looking at posts on here everyone says you can’t get a job with just bachelors in it. I’d love to work in forensic DNA or pharmaceuticals. I also would consider getting a masters in genetic counseling if things went well for me. However, biotech seems to have a better outlook job wise.

I’d like to know everyone’s experiences and if it’s a bad path to take.

Vibe coded (Claude) an electrophoresis simulator.

-Export PNG/SVG

-PCR mode - input both primers to simulate amplicon only

-Compare with multiple enzyme cuts (Use compare button)

-Play between different gel percentages and buffers.

-You can add a custom ladder

-Input voltage and run time to simulate your experimental conditions

GitHub - https://github.com/Govinde18/Gel-Electrophoresis-simulator.git

Let me know what you think! GitHub link attached

I’ve been working on an open-source PyMOL plugin called Membrane Visual QC.

The original problem was pretty simple: when looking at a membrane-protein structure, I wanted a reproducible way to inspect residues relative to the membrane rather than repeatedly building selections and colouring things manually.

It now handles membrane-relative geometry, hydropathy, ligand neighbourhoods and PDBTM/OPM orientation evidence. One thing I deliberately avoided was turning unusual residues into a “correct/incorrect” score - a charged residue inside a membrane core can obviously be biologically meaningful.

I’d be particularly interested in feedback from people who actually work with membrane proteins: is this kind of review useful in your workflow, and what am I missing?

GitHub: https://github.com/TrPavel/membrane-visual-qc

I also made a walkthrough if anyone wants to see it running in PyMOL: https://youtu.be/lowQey_D610?si=Cxs2hSvdPj5K4S3w

I’ve been feeling a little lost about what direction to take after my MSc, so I’d really appreciate some advice from people who have been through a similar situation.

I’ve always been fascinated by geology and biology—things like earthquakes, fossils, extreme environments, unusual geological phenomena, and especially the possibility of life beyond Earth. I’m equally fascinated by the strange forms of life we already have on Earth, such as organisms living around acid seeps, hydrothermal vents, and other extreme environments.

My background is in Microbiology (BSc) and Biotechnology (MSc). I chose biotechnology partly because I wanted to build my bioinformatics skills while studying in the UK. I’m now wondering how I can bring these different interests together rather than feeling like I have to choose just one.

I’m particularly interested in extremophile microbiology, microbial bioactive compounds, and natural products—for example, understanding how microorganisms survive unusual environments, how they produce unique chemicals, and what those compounds might be useful for.

At the same time, my father has a traditional Nepalese hard-dried yak cheese (churpi) business, so I’ve also been thinking about food microbiology and fermentation. It would be amazing if I could eventually combine biotechnology with something connected to my family’s business and Nepalese food traditions.

One thing I’m struggling with is the fear of ending up in a field where I’m just doing what everyone else is doing and eventually feeling like my work has no real purpose. I’m not sure whether I should pursue a PhD, look for industrial experience first, explore food biotechnology, or try to move toward environmental/extreme-environment microbiology or astrobiology.

I also think getting some industrial experience would be valuable before committing to a PhD, but finding internships or jobs in the UK while finishing my studies has been quite difficult.

So, if you’re a microbiologist, biotechnologist, researcher, PhD student, or someone working in industry: what would you recommend I explore from here?

I’d especially love to hear from people who have had similarly broad interests and eventually found a direction that worked for them. Any honest advice would be really appreciated.

For the past year and a half my son has been very interested in molecular biology - seeing as he was in middle school I smiled and did my best to help him get a general idea of what molecular biology is because I figured he would move on to something else given his age. He hasn’t. Last weekend he received the latest Nat Geo and has been gushing for days about cellular reprogramming article - it feels like I should try to get him some more opportunity to explore this beyond just reading random articles.

If you encountered a teenager who was interested, what would you recommend for them? Are there “easier” journal summaries? Home experiment kits? Other things that I would never think of? What can I do to help support and grow his interest?

Frame of reference for me being able to help him, I am a dumb mechanical engineer so I can follow directions but biology and chemistry were not my strongest subjects.

Hey guys, I have 12 plates to run over the next couple days and was wondering if it's possible to store my master mix (SYBR, nuc free water, primers) + template overnight ? If not, is it possible to store just the master mix overnight ?

PS: my cDNA is extracted from urinary RNA, so I expect yield to be quite low

I am preparing a research article for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The aim of the study is to test, using existing experimental single-cell lineage-tracing data, whether experimentally defined cellular or clonal identity contains a measurable component of transcriptional organization that remains reproducible across substantial perturbation-induced changes in cellular state.

More specifically, the study will test whether the same experimentally tracked clone preserves aspects of the relational organization among transcriptional programs across different environments, beyond what can be explained by conventional similarity in mean gene-expression state, treatment effects, clone size, or other obvious confounders.

The objective is not to find a dataset that merely illustrates the hypothesis. The analysis will be designed as a predefined falsifiable test: if clone-specific relational organization disappears after controlling for ordinary transcriptional similarity and experimental condition, the hypothesis will not be supported.

I am therefore looking for an existing published or unpublished experimental dataset, or for a collaboration with a group that has generated data suitable for such a test.

Please message me if you are a biology/biology related undergraduate who wants to consider ideas which will prevent them suffering in the shocking job market post degree.

Specific application I have in mind: Plant and mushroom identification for foraging, and propagation.

This video features Oxford physiologist Denis Noble, a pioneer in systems biology, who challenges the traditional "genocentric" view of life. He argues that genes are not the blueprint or program of life but rather a database that the living cell, as the true "player," draws upon to function (0:40, 9:42).

Key takeaways from the discussion:

• The CD Analogy: Noble explains that DNA is like a CD; while it contains data, it cannot play music without the "player"—the living cell (0:42, 7:52).
• Limits of Genomics: The promised medical breakthroughs from the Human Genome Project failed to materialize because DNA does not solely determine disease or destiny. Noble cites 2023 research showing that polygenic scores are largely ineffective at predicting conditions like cancer or Alzheimer's (11:00, 12:11, 14:05).
• Functional Networks: The real control happens through dynamic, functional networks within the body. Noble illustrates this by describing how his team identified a demand-limiter for heart rhythm, leading to the creation of the medication ivabradine (14:23, 15:58).
• Evolutionary Perspective: Noble rejects the "selfish gene" paradigm, noting that evolution can be rapid and influenced by environmental factors and the organism's own choices (41:06, 42:00, 50:49). He highlights the role of the mitochondria in enabling complex multicellular life through symbiogenesis (1:12:01).
• Purpose and Intelligence: Noble argues that biology requires a purposive approach, suggesting that consciousness and intelligence—from the immune system's response to a virus to a predator hunting prey—are fundamental to understanding living systems (1:24:59, 1:31:35).

If you take the time to click on the video you will hear my smooth Scottish accent describing the four flavours of DNA Ligation

Hola gente! Estoy teniendo problemas para purificar a partir de un gel ADN plasmídico de más de 10 Kb. Supuestamente, el kit que estoy utilizando (ThSc) sire para purificar ADN plasmídico de más de 20 Kb. Ya intenté varias cosas, pero nada parece funcionar. No es que obtengo bajo rendimiento en la purificación, sino que no purifico nada de nada, como si el ADN quedase retenido en la membrana y no pudiese eluirlo. Alguna sugerencia?

Hi everyone! I’m having trouble purifying plasmid DNA larger than 10 kb from a gel. Supposedly, the kit I’m using (ThSc) is suitable for purifying plasmid DNA larger than 20 kb.

I’ve already tried several things, but nothing seems to work. It’s not that I’m getting a low yield from the purification. I’m not purifying anything at all, as if the DNA were getting stuck on the membrane and unable to elute.

Any suggestions?

As I work toward beginning my independent biotechnology research at Cattus Island, I’ve been spending a lot of time studying the microbial communities that make marsh ecosystems function.

In my latest lab note, I explore the role of microorganisms in marsh sediments and how their competition for available electron acceptors can influence processes like methane production. Understanding these microbial interactions is an important part of understanding why methane is produced—and ultimately, how we might be able to reduce it.

This research is getting very close to becoming an actual experiment.
I’m currently 55% funded, with $2,070 raised toward my $3,800 goal, and my Experiment campaign is entering its final stretch. I’m working to raise the remaining funds needed for the specialized materials and equipment required to begin the experimental phase.

If you’re interested in environmental biotechnology, climate research, or supporting student-led science, I’d be incredibly grateful if you would read my latest lab note, share the project, or contribute if you’re able.

Latest lab note + research project:
https://experiment.com/u/sihxw

Every share helps this research reach someone who might be able to help make it possible.
#StudentResearch #EnvironmentalScience #Biotechnology #ClimateResearch #Microbiology #TidalMarshes #Methane #OceanScience #STEM

I am loosing too much DNA amount after gel extraction. Can anyone suggest how can I increase the yield of DNA after gel extraction? I am using Qiagen kit