What are the common laboratory techniques every biotechnology student should know?

If you are a biotechnology student and looking for biotechnology laboratory techniques, this blog will help you to learn common laboratory techniques used in biotechnology to help you start your career in biotech.

Biotechnology can be broken down into a variety of sub fields that are interlinked with biotech which includes, nature biotechnology, microbial biotechnology, medical biotechnology, biotechnology engineering and a lot of other disciplines.

All of these sub biotech disciplines required a comprehensive lab work, which helps the biotech researchers to proceed with their work in a laboratory setting.

There are multiple techniques used in biotechnology laboratory to help the biotech researchers to perform their experiments. Some of the basic techniques are;

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Gel Electrophoresis
Mammalian Cell Culture
Proteomics: Techniques for Protein Analysis
Chromatography
CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): Conventional and Real-Time

PCR is a widely used laboratory practice which is used to amplify the DNA Sequences. The foundation of molecular biology is PCR, which makes it possible to amplify DNA sequences for different purposes.

There are two types of PCR, Conventional PCR and Real-Time PCR (qPCR) generally used in a biotech or research lab.

Conventional PCR

ConventionalPCR is used for gene cloning, sequencing, and diagnostics. This method amplifies particular DNA sections using a heat cycler, a machine that performs PCR. Three basic steps are involved in PCR

1. Annealing (binding primers to DNA),

2. Extension (synthesizing new DNA),

3. Denaturation (breaking apart DNA strands)

Every step in PCR has its own temperature and time limit. Therefore, its mandatory to be considerate regarding this aspect.

Real-Time PCR (qPCR)

Real-time PCR is a quick way of performing Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). This technique uses fluorescent dyes or probes to measure DNA amplification in real-time.

· This method is essentially used for researching genetic mutation analysis, pathogen detection, and gene expression in a biotech lab.

Gel Electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis is a basic method for examining proteins, RNA, and DNA in an electrophoresis chamber that contains gel inside it. It separates molecules according to their charge and size.

· How It Operates

· Samples are placed in a gel matrix, usually agarose for DNA/RNA or polyacrylamide for proteins, and then subjected to an electric field in an electrophoresis chamber.

· Dyes or stains are used in gel electrophoresis.

· One may see the different bands formed by smaller molecules migrating across the gel more quickly in the presence of an electric field.

Mammalian Cell Culture

Mammalian cell culture is the growth of mammalian cells in a controlled environment in biotech labs.

In Mammalian cell culture, a controlled setting is essential for drug testing, therapeutic protein production, and understanding cell behavior in vitro.

This technique allows the researchers to improve the efficacy of their results

· Fundamentals

· To replicate the mammalian cells in vitro environment, cells are cultured in nutrient-rich medium under sterile conditions.

· The media provides all the essential nutrients to the cell that are essential for an un interrupted growth.

· Mammalian cell culture is used in studies involved in cancer research, vaccine development, and regenerative medicine etc.

Proteomics: Techniques for Protein Analysis

Proteomics is the study that focuses on studying proteins. the structure, function, and interactions of proteins within their surroundings are studies in proteomics.

A number of techniques are used in this field:

Histopathology

The study and examination of diseased tissue under a microscope is referred to as histopathology.

In this technique tissues are stained and examined under a microscope for any sort of structural changes for diagnostic purposes.

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)

· Sodiumdodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis is a method for size-based protein separation.

· SDS is used to denature proteins and coat them, giving them a consistent negative charge all over the protein molecules.

· Proteins then segregate according to their molecular weight when they are passed through a gel.

· SDS-PAGE is used for Protein purity analysis, identifying post-translational modifications.

Western Blotting

· Certain proteins in a combination can be found via western blotting.

· Proteins are moved onto a membrane after SDS-PAGE, when antibodies are used to probe them.

· Target proteins are identified using this extremely specific technique. The Applications of western blotting include protein expression analysis and disease biomarker research.

Chromatography

Using chromatography, biomolecules including proteins, DNA, and metabolites can be separated and examined. It can also be used to separate different molecules present in a uniform mixture and is an efficient laboratory technique in biotechnology.

Common Types:

Common types of chromatography that are widely used in a research lab or a biotech lab are;

CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing

CRISPR is a cutting-edge gene-editing method that enables accurate DNA changes in biotech research. Genetics, biotechnology, and medical research have all been revolutionized by CRISPR.
Gene function is understood through knockout studies. Creating organisms that have undergone genetic modification (GMOs) can also be studied by using CRISPR Cas9 gene editing technique.