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LGC publishes new guide on practical laboratory skills for molecular biologists

This new guide is intended to support those working in a molecular biology laboratory.

Tim Wilkes, researcher in LGC’s Molecular Biology team, and co-author of the guide, explains, “An analyst working in any kind of laboratory will require a basic set of practical skills, but molecular biology laboratories provide scenarios and analytical materials which demand specific practical considerations.”

This new best practice guide covers the skills and other measures required to produce valid results in a molecular biology laboratory − results that are not compromised by poor practical technique, possible cross-contamination or non-validated methodology.

There are sections on basic practices, such as measuring mass or volume, and preparing solutions of known concentration. Additional skills that relate to the nature of the materials being handled in a molecular biology laboratory, such as preventing contamination of the samples and protecting the analyst, critical concerns for molecular biologists, are also detailed.

Practical laboratory skills for molecular biologists is freely available for download.

This guide has been produced with support from the UK National Measurement System, funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.