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Before I even started my PhD I was already thinking about carrying out PostDoc in a foreign country and had my sights set on going to the US. I had previously carried out a degree in Genetics at Trinity College Dublin and now I was starting a PhD just across the city at University College Dublin. Like most scientists I loved to travel, I had already been to the US to carry out undergraduate research at the University of California, Davis so I decided looking for a postdoc position in the US would be the goal.However, like everything in life nothing is certain and when I saw an advertisement come up for a postdoc position at the department of genetics in the University of Cambridge f …

Writer’s block can be a big stumbling block when trying to write your PhD thesis, grant or a paper you are trying to get publish. During the early stages of writing my PhD thesis I suffered a lot from writer’s block; however, as soon as I got into a rhythm of writing, writer’s block was a thing of the past as I zoomed through page upon page of my introduction. Looking back on it now I realize what elements resulted in me having writer’s block and how I overcame it. Therefore I thought I would write this article to talk about some of the elements that stopped me putting pen to paper and provide tips for writer’s block. Not knowing …

Spindle assembly checkpoint The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), or mitotic checkpoint, is the main cell cycle control mechanism that governs mitosis. Incorrect spindle attachment causes the spindle assembly checkpoint to generate a wait anaphase signal that prevents the activation of the anaphase promoting complex (APC), an ubiquitin E3 ligase essential for progression of the cell cycle. Conserved components of the mammalian SAC include Bub1 (Cahill et al., 1998), BubR1 [Chan et al., 1998], Bub3 [Taylor et al.,ÿ1998], Mad1[Jin et al., 1998], Mad2 [Li and Benezra, 1996] and CENP-E [Weaver etÿal., 2003]. The checkpoint becomes activated as a …

T Cell Types, Activation, Polarization & Function A comprehensive guide to T cells! window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS = window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS || new Array(); window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS.push({ uuid: 's-97bbabca-f192-454c-a1c7-98716f6875bf' }) Introduction T-cells, vital components of the immune system, encompass various functions and types, including cytotoxic T cells, helper T cells, and regulatory T cells. Their activation and polarization play critical roles in immune responses. Understanding T-cell biology is essential for effective immune defense and therapeutic applications. Key Takeaways T-cells have d …

Explore the intricate world of Insulin Signaling and Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs), pivotal in regulating metabolism and influencing diseases like cancer and atherosclerosis. Key Takeaways: Insulin signaling involves receptor activation, signal transduction, and gene expression. Insulin receptors, a type of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK), regulate metabolism and cell responses. The Ras/MAP kinase and PI3K pathways are crucial in insulin signaling. Insulin signaling impacts atherosclerosis and cancer, with RTK inhibitors showing therapeutic potential. window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS = window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_ELEMENTS || new Array(); window.SHOGUN_IMAGE_E …

What are MHC Class I molecules? The MHC class I is a glycoprotein that is expressed on all nucleated cells of the human body. MHC class I are important in disease defense against viruses, bacteria, parasites and neoplasms. MHC class I facilitates the presentation of peptides of 8-10 amino acids in length to cytotoxic T cells. MHC class I has two transmembrane proteins, HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C. MHC class I is produced in MHC class I gene clusters. MHC class I are encoded by HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C. Key Takeaways MHC Class I molecules present peptides to cytotoxic T cells and are found on all nucleated cells. MHC Class II molecules are crucial for antigen presentation …

Antibodies are a special class of Y shaped proteins that help guard your body from invading viruses and bacteria. They do this by either neutralizing the dangerous substance or marking it for destruction. Five classes of antibodies There are five antibody types called IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE and IgD. Each antibody type is made up of two heavy chains and two light chains also known as an 'immunoglobulin'. Every antibody has a unique tip on its end known as the paratope which contains the key to fighting against invaders which could be a virus or bacterium. The middle section of the antibody is called the constant region which att …

Antigen's are foreign molecules recognised by the immune system. Antigens can be protein, carbohydrate, lipid or nucleic acid molecules. Examples include viruses and bacteria as well as fragments of human cells such as those infected by a virus or damaged by radiation or oxidants. Antigens also include artificial substances such as drugs and other xenobiotics (chemicals not normally capable of being taken up by living systems). Antigens are associated with different types of MHC molecule on the surface of cells which allows them to be identified by T lymphocytes. Antibodies are Y shaped molecules than bind Antigens Antibodies are Y shaped prot …

A neuron is a cell that processes and transmits information through electrical and chemical signals. There are trillions of them in the human brain, which is able to carry out so many complex tasks without conscious effort. These cells are the primary building blocks for AI because they are how all biological organisms process information about their surroundings. The key to understanding how these fascinating creatures work will be the first step towards creating intelligent machines with human-like cognition. Parts of a Neuron Neurons have three primary parts: dendrites, cell body, and axon (in this order). Dendrites detect changes in electrical potential across the surface of neu …

Interleukin signaling is involved in a number of biological processes, including cell growth and differentiation, inflammation and immunity. Interleukins are glycoproteins which act on hematopoietic cells to regulate immune responses or target cells for destruction by the immune system. Interleukins mediate communication between cells through a complex network of receptors. Interleukin receptors are members of a large family of cell surface molecules called cytokine receptors. Interleukins bind to the receptor and cause it to dimerize with another interleukin receptor, which in turn stimulates activity within the target cells. Interleukins play a major role in host defense against …

What do scientists consider their skill set when looking for jobs outside of academia? Mine where hard to sum. I was a PhD in cell biology. I could Western Blot, I had used thousands of antibodies. I could present data. But outside the traditional ABCs of cell biology I had no further experience. Laser focused, academic, scientific, but show me where I can provide value to a business? Being mindful of your CV skill set It was 2012 when I realized this. I had just submitted my PhD in 2011 at University College Dublin and was now working as a Post-Doc in Cambridge University on kinetochore-microtubule interactions. However, what I did realize at the …

During my PhD I knew how networking was important, it helped me source reagents off other labs, get the best advice and helped me land a post doc at Cambridge University. Its not what you know, its who you know! Following my PhD I targeted a lab that I knew I wanted to research in. I didn’t have the publications to get me in the door, so I knew I had to meet the professor and make a great impression to make sure I landed the job. Don’t just email your CV and hope! I could have emailed them with my CV, like the 300+ other applications they get a week, or I could fly over to Cambridge, call in, introduce myself and make sure they kne …

Our Cancer Research Club symposium series continued on Wednesday afternoon, at Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), Dublin, Ireland. The Bouchier-Hayes lecture theatre was at maximum capacity with over 60 scientists from all major universities and Institutes in Ireland coming together to network around the theme of “The Tumor Microenvironment”.This event was organised by Dr. Tríona Ní Chonghaile & Dr. Helena Bonner from RCSI who provided a great series of lectures and invited guests.Our first speaker was Alessandra Di Grande who is a PhD student in Tríona Ní Chonghaile’s group in RCSI. Alessandra was our chosen PhD award winner. Alessandra provided a great insight into BH3 mimetic …

RIPA (Radio Immuno Precipitation Assay) buffer is mostly used when carrying out a western blot or immunoprecipatation assay. A RIPA buffer is used in order to lyse cells and extract protein from cultured cells. RIPA buffer cell lysis enables determination of protein concentration. RIPA buffer is an ideal cell lysis reagent since it contains three non-ionic and ionic detergents. Preserving protein:protein interactions When you need to preserve protein-protein interactions or to reduce denaturation its recommended to use a RIPA buffer recipe without SDS (ionic detergent) or Triton X-100 (non-ionic detergent). RIPA buffer recipes …

Over the past few years I have traversed through academia in a few different guises, first as a PhD student for about 5 years, then onto the traditional route of a post-doc, followed by a sales representative for a life sciences company and finally as the co-founder of ELISA Genie. It’s been a great journey and I’m constantly learning as I move through different facets of working with academics.Currently I’m in year 3 of running my own scientific start-up, it’s a blast, I travel the world, work on new projects every week, attend conferences, but the most interesting part is where we help people with their research. To take a few steps back, I was extremely chatty during my PhD, having …

Cell Signalling Cell signalling pathways have an important role in integrating a plethora of extracellular and intracellular signals to produce a controlled optimal output of signals, and results in the regulation of specific cellular responses. This is crucial for the homeostasis of the cell, and the deregulation of signalling pathways has been related to a number of diseases including cancer (Choudhary and Mann 2010).  Receptor signalling Cells integrate signals from the extracellular matrix by expressing specific receptors on the plasma membrane that can be activated by a specific ligand. Receptors then transduce the ex …

Like needles in a haystack, interesting speakers that bring charisma and rock n roll to their talks are hard to come by. No matter what the research interests of the audience, these speakers hypnotize the audience with their funny analogies and the confidence in their data. Leaving the audience inspired to run back to the lab, read more papers, carry on into post-docing or become a PI. Below I discuss how to be a confident speaker. Preparing scientific talks For these speakers, research can appear stress-free, with negative data some of their most interesting slides, and when they have no answers for their data, they blame serendipity on how they make so …

After probably a round or two of interviews and a PhD in your pocket you would think that proving yourself in your new lab would not be an issue. After all, they did hire you because you were the best candidate for the position and you published some seminal papers on the topic in the months prior. However, from day one as a new post-doc in a lab you have something to prove. Whether it’s getting the first experiment right or it’s presenting at your first lab meeting, not making an initial good impression in the lab can lead to some painful experimental scrutiny and hardship in the months to come. It might not help that you have just inherited a project from the previous post-doc that …

When PhDs and Post-Docs start in new lab they have the best intentions to keep their lab books up to date with notes, new research methods, data, and protocol information. These best efforts usually last for about a week, or for as long as they can see their professor walking about the lab. However, sooner or later diligence is lost and maintaining up to date notes on research methods and protocols happens once every blue moon. Suddenly, stacks of western blots and PCR print-outs build up in drawers, lab books and lab benches, with barely legible labels, saved only by the dates from the PCR print-offs. Eventually, a random inspection from your professor or a looming lab meeting inspir …

We know it gets tiring being in the lab every day, especially with the evenings getting darker and gloomier. So, to get you in the festive spirit, we're holding a competition to win money to throw a Christmas lab party! We have two prizes - one of €300 and another of €150. All you have to do to enter is write us an 800 word blog post on one of the following topics: Cell metabolism Immunology Signalling Cancer research The submissions will be posted on our site with credit. Some examples of previous submissions can be found here: Auto-inflammatory diseases and genetics Chemokines and Chemokine Receptors NLR inflammasomes, the enigmatic drivers of Inflammation Entries can be sent to …

The lab can be one of the greatest places in the world to make live long friends. Spending countless hours in a tissue culture room late into the middle of the night, sharing similar frustrations when experiments don’t work or talking about how your PI does not have a clue what they are talking about can really bring people together. This is also compounded by the fact that you will spend some of the most formative years of your life with these people. They’ll be the first people you see in the morning, the last people you see at night, and the people that you will spend most of your time socializing outside of the lab with, bullying in the Laboratory and workplace can however change …

Over the past few years momentum has gained in the scientific publishing community for researchers to publish their data in open access scientific journals. Open access to published research offers a significant social and economic benefit and ensures scientists and the general public are up to date with the latest scientific discoveries. Currently the Wellcome Trust , Research Councils UK and NIH expect authors to maximise their opportunities to publish in open access formats, and require authors to have their work freely available up to 6 months to a year after publication depending on funding agency. However, although many authors would prefer that their work is freely available to …

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMP) were first discovered in the 1960s by Dr.Marshall Urist, an orthopaedic surgeon at UCLA (Urist 1965). BMPs are classically associated with their roles in limb development, induction of cartilage and bone growth. However, it has been since clarified that Bone Morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are involved in many more diverse biological processes, such as stem cell and organ formation, muscle development, iron metabolism, vascular biology and cancer (D. P. Brazil et al.2015). The BMPs belong to the TGF-β superfamily and are glycosylated, extracellular matrix-associated molecules. The constituents of the BMP signalling pathway have also been implicated in d …

It’s not uncommon now for Masters or Undergraduate students to present some data or data that they produced during their research for a PhD interview process. Sometimes this can be in front of the potential lab, the Professor or the department interview panel that is assessing candidates. The aim of this is to understand what basic skills and understanding the potential PhD candidate already has about the field or a scientific topic in general. For many this is a great opportunity to impress and may allow applicants to rise above competing applicants that may have been grades on paper but do not have the drive, experience or skills to carry out a PhD in a specific lab. To help you get …