...$47,476 and the date for implementation was set for Dec 1 2016. In order to be exempted from the need to pay... these institutions (populations potentially from 1 to 5761, according to the NSF data) and therefore ...exactly how postdoctoral salaries are changing. Transparent salary information for postdoctoral positions...institutions set their postdoctoral salary scales to the NRSA scale (Figure 21, National Postdoctoral Association...Stanford raised salary levels to $50,000, and as of October 1st the salary minimum was raised again to $51,...as having postdocs, representing ~85% of the postdoctoral workforce. Based on our communications with ...according to the NSF data, account for 18% of the postdoctoral workforce in the sciences. The Dana Farber Cancer...

...Figure 1).   Figure 1: Each problem with dimerizing fluorescent proteins is illustrated. 1) Membrane... in nature are prone to dimerization (i.e. EGFP) [1, 2] or even form obligate tetramers (i.e. DsRed) [...active state due to closure by FP dimerization.   1. Transmembrane fluorescent protein fusions Transmembrane...bright, non-physiological, and difficult to ignore [1, 2]. 2. Fusion to an obligate dimer or oligomer Several... For a more detailed discussion see [5]. Problems 1 and 2 depend on protein concentrations. An imperfect... distance runner, gardner, and cook.   References 1. Snapp, E.L., et al., Formation of stacked ER cisternae...from Oregon Health Sciences University, did his postdoctoral fellowship with Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz...

... requires selection. These two steps are (Figure 1): The initial plasmid integration step (the so-called...antibiotic resistance marker from the vector (abR, Figure 1). The resolution step (“double crossover”) which leads... loss of a specific phenotype (using sacB, Figure 1, further discussed below).  Counter-selectable marker...Current protocols in molecular biology 106.1 (2014): 1-16. PubMed PMID: 24733238. Additional resources on...This post was contributed by Jacob Lazarus, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard. There’s an astounding...is now an attending physician. He performs post-doctoral research in the lab of Matthew Waldor at Harvard...

...all of its successes, has many deep-rooted flaws (1). As we discovered through the four workshops at the... Follow David on Twitter @driglar.     References 1. Alberts, Bruce, et al. "Rescuing US biomedical research...the Future of Research will be held from 22-24 October. This blog has been contributed by guest blogger...strong supporter of increasing the number of postdoctoral scientists at University of Maryland. Paula... can register here or live stream the event on October 22nd and 23rd here. Many thanks to our guest blogger...

...the journal-specific guidelines.  Peer-review step 1: The first read At the first read of the paper, I ...group of Prof. Mark Tester, where she focuses on (1) salt-induced changes in root-to-shoot ratio in Arabidopsis...post was contributed by Magdalena Julkowska, a postdoctoral researcher at KAUST, Saudi Arabia. From the... submission to the subsequent journal.  As a postdoctoral researcher studying plant development and abiotic...

...those ideas and build from those.   Figure 1: Virtual lab meeting? No problem! You can still creatively... on it – so it is important to take breaks. After 1 hour (or another designated time) of meeting, someone...This post was contributed by Matteo Tardelli, a postdoctoral scientist at Weill Cornell Medicine. Discussing...blogger Matteo Tardelli! Matteo Tardelli, PhD is Postdoctoral Scientist at Weill Cornell Medicine in NYC and...

...algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . Channelrhodopsin-1 (ChR1) is excited by blue light and permits nonspecific...based on the LOV2 domain of Avena sativa phototropin 1 LOVETRAP reversibly sequester and release proteins...concept of optogenetics. 2012 Prog Brain Res. 196: 1-28. PMID 22341318 Gradinaru V, Zhang F, Ramakrishnan...diversifying and extending optogenetics. Cell. 196:1-28. PMID 20303157 Han X, Boyden ES. 2007 Multiple-...Limitations and Future Developments. Exp Physiol. 96(1): 19–25. PMID 20621963 Mattis J, Tye KM, Ferenczi ...Red-light drivable channel from Chlamydomonas noctigama . ChrimsonR carries K176R mutation. 590 PsChR2...

...from 1:100–1:1,000. If your antibodies come from ascites fluid, try a dilution range from 1:1,000–1:100,000...the antibody’s dynamic range. Specifically, the 1:2, 1:1, and No dilution samples all have approximately...recommended dilution and/or range (typically between 1:500 and 1:10,000 for primary antibodies). You’ll want to...recommended dilution range is usually between 1:5,000 and 1:200,000. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations...reagent (usually an antibody).      Figure 1: A protein gradient. The density of the bands, which...Here, the lanes are lightly marked on the membrane (1) using the gel as a guide. The gel is then removed...membrane is reassembled and imaged. In this example, a 1:1,000 dilution gives a high signal with low background...

...Jacqueline N Crawley  [et al]. 2012;Chapter 1:Unit 1 20 1-18. doi: 10.1002/0471142301.ns0120s59. PMID:...mutually exclusive) commonly used in optogenetics: 1) electrophysiology and 2) behavioral experiments. ...can be broken down broadly into three main steps: 1) Selection and expression of your opsin of choice ...reviews for a discussion of the different variants [1, 2, 4]. And, of course, the best way to learn about...monitor expression at various time points (e.g. every 1-2 weeks over 8 weeks) in order to determine the optimal...follow him on Twitter @derekpsimonphd.    References 1. Tye KM, Deisseroth K. Optogenetic investigation of..., Jacqueline N Crawley  [et al]. 2013;4(435):4 35 1-4  20. doi: 10.1002/0471142301.ns0435s65. PMID: 25429312...

...bioengineering, but it wasn’t clear whether they could 1) be decorated with proteins and remain functional,...Follow her on Twitter @jessicapolka.     References 1. Kanabrocki, J. A., Quackenbush, R. L. & Pond, F. ...contributed by guest blogger Jessica Polka, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Pamela Silver.  Most types...with their environment.   Jessica Polka is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Pamela Silver in the department...

...two-step, 2 hr protocol prior to transformation (Figure 1). As this approach requires no special reagents or...with linearized vector backbone. DpnI digestion - 1 μl DpnI is added to the PCR mix to remove parental...confirm primer design.  Use minimal template DNA Use 1 ng of PCR template DNA to minimize false positive ... by PCR, so we usually add DMSO (3%) and Betaine (1 M) to the PCR mix. When PCR is not possible Some plasmids...Twitter @jakefwatson and @JGarciaNafria.  References 1. Jones, Douglas H., and Bruce H. Howard. "A rapid ...Laboratory of Molecular Biology. Jake Watson is a postdoctoral researcher in neurophysiology at the MRC Laboratory...

...setting out of the lab (coffee, lunch or beer) and in 1:1 conversations. This creates a level of familiarity... other posts in our Science Mentors series: Part 1: "What Makes a Good Mentor?" and 6 More FAQs About...successful PhD is different from choosing a lab for postdoctoral work. However, selecting a lab with a PI who...

...lentiviral gRNA expression vector (pRDA_526) that (1) enables efficient knockout (KO) of genes in immune...statistical power of in vivo screens. Figure 1: Using FITS to perform in vivo CRISPR screens to assess... Find FITS plasmids here! Marty LaFleur is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Arlene Sharpe’s laboratory at Harvard...

... different steps and materials required for each [1, 2]. This protocol [3] provides, in exquisite detail...follow him on Twitter @derekpsimonphd.    References 1. Gutierrez DV, et al. Optogenetic control of motor...manipulation of neural circuits. Nature protocols. 2012;7(1):12-23. doi: 10.1038/nprot.2011.413. PubMed PMID: ...freely moving mice. Neuroscience research. 2011;70(1):124-7. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2011.01.007. PubMed ...University of Michigan and he is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Mary Jeanne Kreek at the...

... the example shown in Figure 1, large sequences corresponding to exons 1 and 3 of the targeted gene have...knock out exon 2 of a given gene.   Figure 1: A knockout targeting vector designed to insert a ... the Neomycin resistance (NeoR) gene between exon 1 and 3 of the targeted gene. Upon recombination, the... protein with GFP, as seen in blue flame plasmid OCT4-eGFP-PGK-Puro from the Jaenisch lab.   Figure...

...of an industry H-1B need to be aware of the April 1 deadline for companies to submit an application on...and non-profit organizations do not have the April 1 H-1B queue process or quota like industry, these organizations... National Interest Waiver. The three prongs are: (1) The foreign national’s proposed work endeavor must...-1B, you need to prove 3 threshold requirements: (1) that you have international recognition for your ...sponsorship) then he or she can start working in October of the same year. The Industry H-1B visa is not...research institutions are willing to sponsor postdoctoral researchers for the EB-1B using the concept ...

... Nucleic Acids Research, Volume 28, Issue 19, 1 October 2000, Pages 3752–3761, https://doi.org/10.1093...relatively easy to multiplex (Thellwell, 2000). See Table 1 for a comparison of features of several commonly used...in primer Yes Yes Agarose gel Table 1: Features of various qPCR chemistries. Adapted from...show multiple peaks.    (a) (b)  (c)   Fig. 1: Melt curves showsing (a) a single peak, indicating...changes in ΔΔCT are represented by RQs between 0 and 1. Flipping your experimental and control values during...see this fold change as a positive difference (RQ>1), which may be easier to conceptualize. Just remember... in Molecular Biology, vol. 1160, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4939-0733-5_3, © Springer Science+Business Media New...

...impartial. The best science happens when scientists have 1) the courage to make mistakes and 2) the integrity...of what I saw are that we, as a society, need to: 1) use more citations for out data so our sources are...chair of the postdoctoral engagement committee and active member of the university's Postdoctoral Association...in the veracity of its work. Alina Chan is a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School working...runs hand in hand with policy. Alexandra is a postdoctoral researcher in the University of Michigan Department... Jennifer Stancill, Ph.D., is currently a post-doctoral fellow at Vanderbilt University. She studies beta-cell...continue the dialogue. Erin Golden is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Colorado Anschutz...

...and Therapeutic Purposes. Annu Rev Virol. 2014 Nov;1(1):427-51. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-031413-085355...personalized medicine. References and further reading 1. FDA approves gene therapy for blindness 2. Gene Therapy... Med Biol. 2014; 801: 687–693.  doi:  10.1007/978-1-4614-3209-8_86. PubMed PMID: 24664759. PubMed Central...amaurosis. This is the first of what I, scientists, doctors and patients hope are many more clinical successes...

... products). I picked this post for a few reasons: 1) I think phage are super cool and have considered ...Connect the Research Community Grad School Advice Part 1: Picking a Lab and a Project That’s it for now. As...deposited plasmids on this trip. Here’s to hoping that October is even more awesome than September! Tyler J. Ford...

... successful after their training.   Figure 1: Professional Development Hub Workshop Attendees and...professional development as core components of predoctoral and postdoctoral training. A grant from the National ...

...centrifugation (lenti) Centrifugation Titration time ~1 day (AAV); ~1 week (lenti) 2–10 days Initial titers Higher...will help you decide which is right for you. Table 1: Mammalian versus insect cells for viral production...the insectspodoptera frugiperda (lepidoptera; noctuidae). In Vitro, 13(4), 213–217. https://doi.org/10.1007...

...environments such as live cells and tissues (Figure 1). These flexible strategies give you the best of both...majority of in-cell labeling strategies have two parts: (1) a genetically encoded “tag” expressed as a fusion...Follow him on twitter @rhodamine110.   References 1. Liu, Zhe, Luke D. Lavis, and Eric Betzig. "Imaging... tag (Figure 1c). Click chemistry (e.g., transcyclooctene–tetrazine)– Nonnatural amino acids can be ...

... are not required to initiate the reaction. Table 1 compares some general advantages and disadvantages...disadvantages of luminescence versus fluorescence.  Table 1: Properties of Luminescence versus Fluorescence   ...None Yes Luminous Japanese ostracod(Cypridina noctiluca)Sea firefly(Cypridina hilgendorfii) 465 62 Cypridina...

...prompted us to create Crowdfight.   Figure 1: Crowdfight is a community of scientists who believe...collaborator for a specific task, Crowdfight will: 1) Find an expert with the right skill; 2) Confirm the...IgnacioAmigoH     María Hernández-Sánchez is a postdoctoral researcher at Instituto de Investigación Biomédica...

...animal will repeatedly nose-poke at the active hole [1, 2].    Place preference/place aversion also models... can be explained primarily in two different ways 1) your hypothesis is wrong or 2) there is some problem...follow him on Twitter @derekpsimonphd.    References 1. Stuber, Garret D., et al. "Excitatory transmission...University of Michigan and he is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Mary Jeanne Kreek at the...

...occur, but good performers move around easily  Table 1: Taking it a Step Further - Big Company v. Small Company...recently, I have been hearing exit survey data from postdoctoral programs in the Boston area that demonstrate...Both explicit and implicit aspects of today’s postdoctoral training can directly interfere with a seamless...

...total dose between 1 x 1011 and 5 x 1011 vg per animal (i.e., 10 and 50 µL of vector at 1 x 1013 vg/mL titer... and 1 x 1012 vg*. Most systemic capsids are easy to produce in high titer, but higher doses (>1 x 1012...before using it in an application.     Figure 1: AAV toolkit for targeted gene delivery to the brain...decision tree for selecting a capsid, while Table 1 gives a brief overview of published descriptions of...Capsids page to learn more about that collection. Table 1: Systemic capsid plasmids available from Addgene ...AAV9. At lower viral titers than AAV-PHP.B (e.g., 1 x 1011 vg/mouse), AAV-PHP.eB can transduce a greater...Diverse Brain Cells. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 45(1), 447–469. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-111020...

...detects samples at clinically relevant concentrations (1-3 fM; 1x106-fold lower than before), and our combined... health, energy, and sustainability.   References 1. Pardee, Keith, et al. "Rapid, Low-Cost Detection ... switches for pathogen detection In 2014, as postdoctoral fellows with Jim Collins and Peng Yin at the...

... to the development of resistance include (Figure 1): Over-prescription of antibiotics (for example, ... communication, and public health.     References 1. O'Neill, J. "Tackling drug-resistant infections globally...www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx1uDYSfINA. When you go to the doctor, it will very likely take time to determine if ...