Upgrading Your Lab: The Benefits of Investing in Benchtop Equipment

While upgrading your equipment may seem like a significant expense, using old equipment may cost you in more ways than one. This article will explore the benefits of updating your lab's benchtop equipment.

1- Reduced maintenance costs:  

• Investing in new equipment, which is often more durable and reliable, can save you money in the long run by reducing the need for maintenance and repairs on old or low-quality equipment, which will eventually need to be replaced. Frequent breakdowns can also result in lost productivity, impacting your bottom line.
• New equipment is often designed to be maintenance-free or sold with a warranty, which can eliminate unexpected expenses related to the operation of your tool.
• Newer equipment may also be more energy-efficient, which can help reduce your overall operating costs.

2- Time-saving and increased efficiency: 

Maximize Your Lab’s Potential With Proper Storage of Laboratory Supplies

Have you ever had to deal with expired or contaminated laboratory supplies? If so, you know how frustrating it can be to repeat an experiment or waste time and money replacing your supplies. The solution is simple: proper storage. This article explores the importance of adequately storing laboratory supplies and offers tips for adequate storage and handling.

Why proper storage is so important:

1- Protect the integrity of your results:

When it comes to laboratory supplies, the key to achieving accurate results is not just in the quality of the supplies themselves but also in how they are stored. Incorrectly stored supplies can become contaminated due to exposure to dust, moisture, heat, and other environmental factors. Using contaminated supplies can produce inaccurate results or compromise the integrity of numerous samples and instruments.

2- Improve the s

Science in the Digital Spotlight: The Impact of Social Media on Scientific Progress

The age of social media has brought about a new era in scientific communication and collaboration. Academics are increasingly turning to platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share their work with others, connect with colleagues, and engage with a broader audience. In this blog post, we'll explore the impact of social media on scientific progress and provide insights on how to make the most of this powerful tool.

Benefits 

Social media offers a unique opportunity to source data, advertise for research participants, and present new information. And with web-based broadcasting becoming the standard means of educating the public, researchers can expand their work's readership (and impact) far beyond what was previously possible. Expansion of communication and knowledge about scientific issues can also increase pressure on government bodies to prioritize matters of importance,

How To: Select a PCR Plate for Your Thermal Cycler

PCR technology is one of the most prevalent yet powerful molecular biological tools at our disposal. Despite our familiarity with the technology, selecting the right consumables for PCR analysis can remain a challenge. We are going to break down the different attributes to help you identify the best PCR/qPCR plastics for optimal performance.

While we provide some selection tips in this article, it’s important to remember that the plate you select ultimately needs to be compatible with your thermal cycler or sequencer. Compatibility with your equipment is the most important consideration when selecting a plate. 

1-     Size

Well Count: PCR plates are available in a range of formats, at Ultident, we sell plates with 24, 48, 96 and 384 wells, however 96 and 384-well plates are the most used in Canada. We also carry perforated plates that can be easily divisible into strips of 8. Regardless o

Research Advances in Breast Cancer Treatment

Did you know October is breast cancer awareness month? This year we decided to take a look at the most advanced treatment methods for breast cancer, developed by researchers like yourself. These technological advances not only improve the precision and effectiveness of treatment, but improve the quality of life for patients and offer hope for a cure. 

Before we dive into the latest research advances in breast cancer treatment, it’s important to remember that there is not one standard treatment plan for all who are battling breast cancer. There are multiple factors to considered, such as

1. The stage of breast cancer a patient is diagnosed with
2.  The patient’s age (pre- or post-menopause) 
3.  The status of hormone receptors and HER2 status (The HER2 protein promotes the growth of cancer cells)
4.  The patient’s overall health

After weighing all these

The Importance of Laboratory Science in Schools

For students from kindergarten to high school graduation, hands-on laboratory experience is fundamental to the learning process. The critical thinking and problem-solving skills gained in these experiential learning activities will follow the students long after they've left the classroom, regardless of their career paths. In this month’s blog, we dive into the multiple benefits of laboratory learning in schools. 

1- Seeing is Believing 

Science requires a thorough understanding of matter, life, physical, chemical and biological processes that are not necessarily tangible, or visible to the naked eye. Observing and participating in lab experiments offers a well-rounded comprehension of concepts that can be difficult to grasp, giving access to an otherwise inaccessible knowledge. A well equipped lab with clearly defined learning outcomes increases ease and interest in the learning process for both t

What Are Canadian Scientists Up To? A Look at Ongoing Research Initiative

It seems like every day there is a new breakthrough that pushes humankind to the next level. Whether in regard to public health, technology, vaccines or agriculture, Canada's leading scientists and researchers are continuously innovating and improving the quality of life for all. 

Curious as to what scientists are working on these days ? Here are 5 research programs currently underway in Canada. 

1- AI for Precision Discovery of Associations in Biological Systems 

The associations between complex human diseases (phenotypes) and underlying genetic variations, is the question that drives a great deal of research in life sciences. 

The University of Toronto is working on a project that uses AI technologies to aid in identifying genetic phenotype associations as precisely as possible. The reason this is so important is that genotype and phenotype associations

Laboratory Ergonomics for a Healthy and Safe Workplace

Working in laboratories means we often undergo tasks that require us to be stagnant for long periods of time, sometimes in rather awkward positions. This can unfortunately result in injuries and/or stress disorders that can be persistent. However, having proper laboratory ergonomics readily available is the best way to prevent such injuries from occurring.

What Are Laboratory Ergonomics ? 

Laboratory ergonomic principles were designed to minimize the injuries and stress disorders that manifest as a result of repetitive daily tasks or physically demanding tasks. The three most common ergonomic hazards in labs are; objects, environments and systems. These hazards can cause poor posture, unnatural or uncomfortable movements and difficult working conditions. Exposure to such hazards over a long period of time increases the risk of injury.

Common ergonomic risk factors in laboratories include:

The Evolution of the Microscope

Imagine what the world would look like today if we could only see what was visible to the naked eye? The existence of cells would still be unknown to us, vaccines and medicines would be significantly less effective, and we would have far less understanding of what makes organisms live and thrive. What I just described is the world without the microscope. Let's take a look at how this revolutionary instrument came to be. 

10th Century:

The Romans and Egyptians were the first to experiment and create with glass. They made it using sand, alkali, metal colouring and sodium carbonate, then forming it with seaweed and lime. They would use it to make and sell expensive art with a range of colours, techniques and complex patterns. 

13th Century:

In Florence, Italy, a man named Salvino D’Armato Degli Armati discovered that convex glass makes objects appear larger. With that knowledge, he invented the first pair o

What Is CRISPR and How Is It Being Used Today?

What is CRISPR? 

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a gene modifying function that can be used to heal genetic defects, stop the spread of diseases, and enhance the growth and quality of crops. CRISPR is different from other gene editing technologies since it can change the DNA of animals, plants, and microorganisms with extremely high precision.

How does CRISPR work?

Essentially, CRISPR works by having an enzyme called Cas9 cut up specific parts of DNA, the Cas9 enzyme acts as molecular scissors that are extremely precise and efficient at targeting specific parts of DNA. Researchers are then able to repair, modify or replace it with new DNA that is healthier, or more efficient at solving the problem at hand. This revolutionized many fields as it enabled researchers to not only tweak, but completely change DNA. With the use of CRISPR, there have been significant breakthroughs