BioProbes 74

Featured article

Toward mechanism-based diagnostics and disease interventions—Combining CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing with functional proteomics
The focus of the Schmitt-Ulms laboratory at the University of Toronto is the development of models and methods for studying proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases, with the goal of generating insights that will lead to novel angles for diagnosis or intervention. Within this general theme, they specialize in the study of tauopathies—which include Alzheimer’s disease and a subset of frontotemporal dementias—and in the identification of the missing links in aberrant signaling pathways triggered by the formation of oligomeric amyloid beta peptide (oAβ). Two CRISPR-Cas9 applications have been transformative for their work: (1) the generation of knockout models of specific genes of interest and (2) the introduction of mutations known to underlie human diseases.

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Learning centers: An online source for educational information

Thermo Fisher Scientific has amassed a huge library of educational assets for many different fields of study. These educational resources include application notes, handbooks and sourcebooks, webinars, how-to videos, white papers, case studies, tutorials, scientific posters, product selection guides, and much more. To help you browse, locate, and review information that may be useful for your own experiments, we have divided our educational offerings into a range of learning centers, organized by research and industrial application areas. Here’s a sampling of the learning centers available online:

• Cell analysis
• Cell culture and transfection
• Flow cytometry
• Genome editing
• Protein biology
• Stem cell research
• Synthetic biology

The purpose of these learning centers is to connect both new and experienced scientists to our many resources by providing a few centralized points of entry into the vast content. And we are continually updating these centers with new information.

• Start exploring today at thermofisher.com/learningcenters

Virtual education platform for protein and cell analysis

We recently launched a virtual educational environment that houses expansive content on protein and cell analysis, all at one easy-to-access site. The Protein and Cell Analysis Education website— provided by the scientists that developed The Molecular Probes Handbook, Molecular Probes School of Fluorescence, and Pierce Protein Methods—is available on-demand and offers both educational materials and application-specific information in a variety of user-friendly formats:

Educational materials

• New on-demand webinars
• How-to videos
• Downloadable white papers, handbooks, and posters
• Virtual laboratories

Application-specific information

• Antibodies and immunoassays
• Cell imaging technologies
• Flow cytometry strategies
• Mass spectrometry techniques
• Western blot workflows

This venue was designed with both new and experienced researchers in mind and efficiently provides access to a variety of interactive content that fosters learning about traditional and innovative protein and cell analysis techniques. It also provides convenient links to our learning centers, as well as to previous issues of BioProbes Journal of Cell Biology Applications. All content is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is viewable from the convenience of your desk, tablet, or mobile device.

• See what it's all about at thermofisher.com/pcaeducation

Beautiful science: Cell imaging coloring book and marker set

Color your way through organically beautiful cell structures. From plasma membranes, through cytoskeletons, down deep into the nucleus and everything in between, this coloring book will calm and inspire scientific minds with patterns specifically designed to help you relax. The 30 unique designs are inspired by actual cell images submitted by customers around the world. True to the broad spectrum of cells and their complex structures, the pages include fantastic designs of tissues, neurons, villi, nerves, osteosarcomas, hepatocytes, astrocytes, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, dendritic cells, and more—sure to captivate colorists of all ages.

For hours of mindful calm and creative expression, join millions of people around the world who are rediscovering the simple relaxation and bliss of coloring.

• Download your copy today (see terms and conditions) at thermofisher.com/color

Pierce protein and peptide assay guide poster

Now available upon request, the 24 x 32.5 inch Thermo Scientific™ Pierce™ Protein and Peptide Assay Selection Guide poster features our complete line of Pierce protein and peptide assays—BCA Protein Assay Kits, Detergent-Compatible and Coomassie Plus Bradford Assay Kits, the 660 nm Protein Assay Reagent, and the Quantitative Colorimetric Peptide Assay. This reference guide provides technical specifications for each assay along with detection range, optimal applications, protocol overviews, reaction schemes, typical standard curves, and extensive information on interfering substances.

• Request your copy today (see terms and conditions) at thermofisher.com/proteinassayposter

Virtual training labs: Pluripotent stem cell culture

Training on pluripotent stem cell (PSC) culture is now available in an easy-to-access virtual format. Visit the Gibco™ Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture virtual training lab to strengthen your knowledge of stem cell culture techniques and become familiar with culture requirements for maintaining and expanding PSCs while balancing differentiation and self-renewal pathways. The Pluripotent Stem Cell Culture virtual training lab focuses on these important topics:

• Preparation of new cultures of PSCs
• Coating of wells to promote PSC culture
• Follow-up culture techniques
• Characterization of pluripotency

This free 3D interactive learning laboratory offers cell culture training modules, best practices for working with your cells, and quizzes to test your understanding.

• Register today at thermofisher.com/gibcoeducation