(Part 2) Best products from r/labrats

I got my niece a Marie Curie doll that she absolutely loves. I know you asked for boy toys, but I figured it someone else is reading this, it might be helpful.

My nephew loved the Nat Geo Little Kids First Book of.... They have a whole bunch in the series.

Once their older I think we are going to start getting them the mechanical toy kits to make stuff themselves. I totally don't understand kids toys today though.

I'm actually trying to figure out the same thing right now for frozen blood samples.

I've been (minimally) successful with a biopsy punch. If you can find one large enough, you might be able to extract ~25mg consistently. Especially if you warm the end slightly.

The next thing I want to try is a small serrated saw, which should be cleaner than chopping. I used to have one from xacto, but i'm sure there is an equivalent surgical tool example

Please let me know i you find a solution!

I have an iPad Pro and it works great with the Apple Pencil. I don’t use electronic lab notes but I’m sure it would be a great option, albeit an expensive one. Here’s a case that seemingly covers the entire tablet: https://www.amazon.ca/Otterbox-Defender-Version-Retail-Packaging/dp/B00Z7T6F4Y/ref=asc_df_B00Z7T6F4Y/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=292998312861&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10014958372102440020&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000712&hvtargid=pla-403947115098&psc=1

Found these: https://www.amazon.com/Microyn-Glass-Petri-Tissue-Culture/dp/B01N9HET4W/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1511283639&sr=1-1&refinements=p_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A5485476011&dpID=41lEU9CFvFL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I would also look at MatTek products: https://www.mattek.com/store/
as they make a lot of live cell dishes. It looks like most have polystyrene bodys but they also mention on their site that they do special orders?

Would using a coverslip holster/chamber (not sure what to call it) work for your application? Like this: https://www.thermofisher.com/order/catalog/product/A7816

El-P is always a favorite of mine, can't go wrong with Run the Jewels and Cancer 4 Cure is excellent, too. DJ Shadow's first album would also go well with your drug theme.
Outside the modern hip hop universe, I'd also recommend Funkadelic's Maggot Brain and Parliament's Mothership Connection.

I hadn't appreciated your plates were full size - dipping plates that big is going to be really tricky. You could also try putting the plate upright in a dish and pouring the reagent over it, but it can be tricky to get even coverage that way. Spraying is probably the best solution, I don't see why the airbrush wouldn't work. You could also try something like this

Jackson 3013536 KC 20470 Safety Glasses Nemesis VL Gun Metal Frame Clear Lens, 1 Pair <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UVDWMM/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_HcHyxbXRTMGPJ>

These are my favorite. Lightweight and flexible make them comfortable to wear all day

the song of the dodo by david quammen. one of my favorite science books. i wish there was an audiobook available, i’d love to experience it again on my commute to work.

There are a few ways to do this depending on your model organism and preparation.

You can inject a viral vector with a cell type specific promoter driving the expression of a fluorescent protein in a live animal. Depending on the vector used, you wait a few days to a week and then sacrifice the animal. You can then use classic immunohistochemical techniques to detect the gfp or whatever fluorescent protein you used. You could also just use immunohistochemistry with a cell type specific antibody to begin with. Then you’d most likely want to take confocal images and use 3D reconstruction software. If your question involves more intracellular structures rather than general morphology, you’d want to process the tissue for electron microscopy. It would allow you to look at synapses, dendritic terminals, etc.

Caveats to always remember are the sensitivity and specificity of the antibodies you’re using.

If you have a slice preparation, you can fill individual cells with something like Lucifer yellow to see the whole shape and morphology - don’t think you can also select for specific cell type with that though.

If you’re interested in learning more about techniques, I highly recommend this book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0128005114/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile

I have a pretty good workflow involving a Livescribe Echo Pen and gridlined notebooks. The pen can record meetings/seminars/etc and sync the audio up to the PDF that it creates. And, then you have the paper as a backup. I then organize all the PDFs in Evernote. Works well for me.

(note: you need to obtain permission to record if you're in a place with an expectation of privacy in many states)

Everyone needs to read 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' - hands down the best science book I've ever read. The audiobook is good too.

I think this book is super handy to have around:
https://www.amazon.com/Lab-Math-Measurements-Calculations-Quantitative/dp/0879696346

It covers the math for all sorts of lab techniques and has one of the best versions of the dilution formula I've found;

[(Concentration you want) / (Concentration you have)] * Total reaction volume = volume of stock to add to reaction.

Seems like it would be pretty simple - find a cheap/quiet air compressor, run the line through a normally-closed solenoid (found this for 11 bucks), and control the solenoid w/ the arduino. If the solenoid is higher than the 5V the arduino can supply, have the arduino power a relay or a power transistor, I use a 12 channel one of these to power solenoids for dispensing water and it works well. Sounds like y'all already have the code set up to do something similar, but give a shout if you need help with that part too

I don't have personal experience with them, but I've seen battery operated spray bottles in our greenhouse catalogs. Something like this, where you just press a button.

https://www.amazon.com/Instapark-battery-operated-Adjustable-Multipurpose/dp/B077JCLMMF

I don't know how well you would do with a pumping motion, but something like a Misto sprayer might also do the trick. I guess you could just wipe things down with a soaked towel while you work on a solution, but that would take too much time for routine use I think.

This book about Richard Feynman is a really fun and casual read. I tend to give it to a lot of scientists as a gift.

https://www.amazon.com/Surely-Youre-Joking-Mr-Feynman-ebook/dp/B003V1WXKU

Bolle labspecs are sweet and cheap IMO. I have these ones and they're just great!

https://www.amazon.com/Lab-Math-Measurements-Calculations-Quantitative/dp/0879696346