Big Picture
The Case for Cannabis
This multi-part series, updated in October 2024, explores the rapidly evolving landscape of the cannabis industry, focusing on the scientific, regulatory, and operational challenges faced by laboratories. It provides insights into testing methods, compliance requirements, and the technological advancements in cannabis research, offering valuable guidance for lab professionals navigating this dynamic and growing field.
Transforming Cellular Research with Real-Time Monitoring
Explore the forefront of cellular research with advanced real-time monitoring technologies. This series dives into the latest innovations that are transforming how scientists study cellular processes, enabling more accurate, efficient, and dynamic analyses. From overcoming traditional challenges in cell culture monitoring to the pivotal role of oxygen management in tissue engineering, and breakthroughs in live cell metabolics, each article unveils key learnings and practical solutions that are revolutionizing laboratory practices.Series Sponsor

The State of Science During COVID-19
UpdatedThe COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has uprooted how citizens carry out their daily lives, and how businesses operate. This six-part series will discuss the impact that COVID-19 has had on laboratory operations across the US, and offers advice for lab managers on how to safely lead their teams through the crisis.
PCR: A Powerful Analytical and Diagnostic Tool
UpdatedPCR is a powerful analytical technique, and with increased speed, sensitivity, and multiplexing capability, has become a valuable diagnostic tool. Careful assay design and optimization ensures successful experiments and expands its utility.
Everything You Want to Know about Ultralow Cold Storage
UpdatedUntil recently, ultralow temperature (ULT) freezers were not well-known pieces of equipment, used mainly in specialized biomedical and clinical laboratory applications. However, given the need for COVID-19 vaccines to be stored at ultralow temperatures, these units are now in high demand and are regularly featured in the mainstream media. Whether you’re a first-time ULT freezer owner or a regular user looking to replace your existing unit, this web series aims to provide everything you need to know about ultralow cold storage for the lab, including how it works, how to keep your ULT in top shape, its role in successful COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, and factors to consider when purchasing.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention during COVID-19
UpdatedSince the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scientific community has jumped into action to solve important questions surrounding the virus, provide resources for testing, develop solutions to supply shortages, and much more. This five-part series highlights examples of the innovations that have been produced as a result of this unprecedented crisis.
Overcoming the Challenges of Working Remotely
UpdatedThanks to modern communication technologies, laboratories across the world are more connected than ever, enabling new capabilities and collaborations. Now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, working remotely has become the new normal for most labs. How can laboratory leaders effectively manage their teams from a distance and provide the resources necessary for staff to efficiently continue their work? Find out in this four-part series.
Preparing Your Lab for Economic Change
UpdatedLab managers often face the challenge of tightening their budgeting belt. This five-part series will offer money-saving tips to accommodate labs with a lean budget, and advice on how to keep lab equipment running smoothly to avoid unexpected repair costs.
Is Science Sustainable?
UpdatedLaboratories have developed the reputation of being "energy hogs," but there is now a global effort to conduct research in a more environmentally-responsible way. This six-part series, updated in 2022, will discuss the current state of lab sustainability, illustrate how small changes can curb your lab's carbon footprint, and outline some green approaches to waste management.
Develop a Smart HCP Kit Strategy
UpdatedHost cell proteins (HCPs) are process-related impurities that are produced by the host organism during biologic manufacturing and production. A purification process is necessary to reduce the levels of HCPs in any biopharmaceutical product to ensure it is safe for patients. Analysis techniques like the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are conducted to quantify the remaining levels of HCPs after purification. This is a complex process that requires the right tools, expertise, and strategies. This series explains the process of HCP analysis in biologics development, the benefits of using ELISA kits, how to ensure security of supply for HCP reagents, and solutions for validating HCP ELISAs.
What Can Automation Do for Your Laboratory?
UpdatedThere’s no doubt that automating your lab is one of the biggest changes you and your staff will encounter, but it doesn’t need to be a challenge if done right. This series will cover how to decide if automating your lab is the right decision for your facility and how to do it successfully, key benefits and examples of lab automation, automating regulated laboratories, and some of the latest technologies on the market.
Lab Management in the COVID-19 Era: 1 Year Later
UpdatedThough they faced sudden, massive change when the pandemic was declared in March 2020, lab professionals have risen to the challenge. Battling mental health stresses, communication issues, remote work, increased workloads, and changes to workflows, in addition to a host of other issues, lab managers and their teams are emerging from the pandemic stronger than ever. In this series, we cover key crisis management lessons learned from a year of managing a lab during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bioprocessing: Where It Is and Where It's Going
UpdatedBioprocessing involves the creation of a needed material from a living organism, usually cells or parts of cells, with applications in food and biofuel production, medicines, or therapies, to name a few. In this Big Picture series of articles, we’ll provide a brief overview of bioprocessing and bioprocess engineering with a particular focus on bioprocessing for therapeutics, as well as a more in-depth look at some of the ways companies are solving challenges in industrial bioprocessing, trends in single-use bioprocessing, recent developments in cell line development in upstream bioprocessing, and how new options in cell media can help overcome the challenges of cell therapy manufacturing.