Cynvenio, Vortex, and CellInsight CX5 instruments – Used for analyzing and isolating cells, often in cancer research.
Bright field microscopy/compound light microscopy – Standard light microscope where specimens appear dark against a bright background.
Paraffin sections vs. Cryostat/Cryosections – Paraffin sections use wax for preserving samples; cryosections freeze samples for quick processing.
Phase contrast microscopy – Enhances contrast in transparent samples, useful for viewing live cells.
Nomarski/DIC microscopy – Provides 3D-like images by enhancing contrast in unstained samples.
Patch clamp – Measures electrical activity in individual cells, often used in neuroscience.
Darkfield microscopy – Illuminates specimens at an angle, making them appear bright on a dark background.
Polarizing light microscopy – Uses polarized light to study structures like crystals or fibers.
Spinning Disk Confocal microscopy – Captures fast-moving live cell images with low photodamage.
Point Scanning Confocal microscopy – Uses a laser to scan a sample point by point, reducing background noise.
Vivascope – A type of confocal microscope for imaging skin non-invasively.
Fluorescence Microscopy – Uses fluorescent dyes to highlight specific cell parts.
FRAP (Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching) – Studies movement of molecules in membranes.
FRET (Förster Resonance Energy Transfer) – Measures molecular interactions based on energy transfer between fluorescent molecules.
FRET biosensor – A molecular tool that detects specific biological activities using FRET.
TIRF (Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscopy) – Highlights molecules at the cell surface with minimal background noise.
Vital fluorescent dyes – Stains used to observe live cells without killing them.
Fluorescence immunocytochemistry – Uses fluorescent antibodies to label proteins in cells.
ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) – Detects and measures proteins like antibodies or hormones.
Microspectrofluorometry/Plate Reading Spectrofluorometer – Measures fluorescence in small samples, often used in microplates.
Polyclonal/monoclonal antibodies – Polyclonal antibodies recognize multiple parts of a protein; monoclonal ones target a single site.
GFP, YFP, CFP as reporter molecules – Fluorescent proteins used to track gene expression and cell activity.
Apoptosis/Necrosis/Annexin V/Propidium iodide – Methods to study cell death and distinguish between programmed cell death (apoptosis) and accidental death (necrosis).
Autoradiography – Uses radioactive markers to detect molecules in cells or tissues.
FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization) – Detects specific DNA sequences in chromosomes.
Intracellular injection techniques (4 types) – Methods to introduce substances into cells (e.g., microinjection, electroporation).
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) – Provides detailed images of thin cell sections using electron beams.
High voltage electron microscopy – A more powerful version of TEM for thick samples.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) – Produces 3D images of surfaces using electrons.
Plastic thin sectioning – Embeds samples in plastic for thin-section imaging.
Freeze fracture – Splits frozen cells to examine internal structures.
Ultrastructural autoradiography – Combines autoradiography with electron microscopy for detailed imaging.
Ultrastructural immunocytochemistry – Uses antibodies to detect proteins in cell structures at an ultrastructural level.
Electron tomography – Creates 3D reconstructions of cells from electron microscope images.
Laser-capture microdissection microscopy – Isolates specific cells from a sample for further study.
Atomic Force Microscopy – Uses a tiny probe to create 3D images of cell surfaces.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy – Examines surfaces at the atomic level using electrical currents.
Two-photon microscopy – Uses two photons to image deeper into tissues with minimal damage.
Super-Resolution Microscopy – Breaks the resolution limit of traditional light microscopy for highly detailed images.
Deconvolution Microscopy – Improves image clarity by computationally removing blur.
SELDI-TOF/MALDI-TOF – Techniques for analyzing proteins based on mass spectrometry.
Densitometer – Measures the intensity of bands in gels or blots.
Autoradiography – Repeated (see 24).
Pulse-chase – Tracks how molecules move and change over time in cells.
Radioactive tagging – Labels molecules with radioactive markers for tracking.
EGTA/Protease – EGTA chelates calcium, and proteases break down proteins.
FACS/Flow cytometry – Sorts and analyzes cells based on their properties using lasers.
Guava – A compact flow cytometry system.
Velocity sedimentation – Separates cells based on their size and weight.
Dynabeads/Speedbeads – Magnetic beads used to isolate specific molecules or cells.
Veridex CellSearch System – Detects rare circulating tumor cells in blood.
Trituration – Breaks down cells mechanically by pipetting.
Detergents (SDS and Triton X-100) – Used to break cell membranes for protein extraction.
Differential centrifugation – Separates cellular components by spinning samples at different speeds.
Equilibrium Density (Rate Zonal) centrifugation – Uses a density gradient to separate molecules based on weight.
DEAE and CM Ion exchange chromatography – Separates proteins based on charge differences.
Gel filtration – Separates molecules by size.
Affinity Chromatography – Captures proteins based on specific binding interactions.
Protein A immunoprecipitation – Isolates antibodies and their target proteins.
Dialysis – Removes small molecules from a protein solution using a membrane.
Native gel electrophoresis – Separates proteins based on size and shape while maintaining their natural state.
SDS gel electrophoresis – Separates proteins by size after denaturing them.
Isoelectric focusing – Separates proteins based on their charge at a specific pH.
2-D gel electrophoresis – Separates proteins first by charge, then by size.
Western blots – Detects specific proteins in a sample using antibodies.
Photoreactive amino acids – Modified amino acids that react to light for studying protein interactions.
Cell lines/strains – Cultured cells used for research.
Fetal bovine serum/defined media – Supplements used in cell culture for growth.
Biological scaffolds – Structures that support cell growth in tissue engineering.
Tissue engineering – Creating artificial tissues for medical applications.
Microporous membranes – Used for cell culture and filtration.
Bioprinting/3D printing – Uses cells to print tissue structures.
Decellularization – Removes cells from a tissue, leaving behind only the extracellular matrix for use in transplants.