The Q: The Quartzy Blog for lab managers and scientists

You are at the forefront - pushing the frontiers of scientific discovery and innovation. You know all too well of the seemingly endless bench work and rapid consumption of biotech consumables. We’re talking plastic dishes and plates,

So you’ve been asked to review your first scientific article - congratulations! Being asked to review an article indicates that you’ve made an impact through publishing and presenting your own research – whether you were invited directly, or

It can be the most dreadful time of the year – no, not the stressful few weeks leading up to the holiday season – but lab inspection time. Typically occurring yearly, a lab inspection ensures that both the lab space and lab members are adhering

What is a successful lab? Some may argue that a well-funded lab is a successful one. Others may say that frequent publications define success. Happy students, researchers, and employees. Cutting edge research. Patents. World Impact. No matter how

Graduate school is one of the most mentally and physically exhausting experiences. Many of us find ourselves navigating a range of new responsibilities, including teaching, coursework, and side projects, all on top of our main thesis or

If you’re currently in science research then you’re well aware of the funding deficit, and it’s likely that at one point you or a fellow scientist friend has had research (or maybe even a job) on the line while eagerly awaiting a grant score. So,

So you want to try a new reagent. But whether it’s to replace one that you have previously used or to start on a new project, one important question always arises: how do you know that it will work? Even if the manufacturer’s website shows data

Many frustrating experimental results happen because you made a mistake. In hindsight, you realize you set up the reaction incorrectly or you were rushing and messed up the purification. Mistakes happen. Sometimes, though, you cannot find any

It seems that all scientists have had that moment– the moment where you feel totally defeated by a machine. At some point in your day you will likely need to use some piece of equipment for experiments – incubators, shakers, microscopes,

As I enter into what is likely the final year of my PhD in the Biomedical Sciences program at the University of California San Diego, I regularly find myself contemplating the last four years. Although my experience has been a generally positive