RESEARCH METHODS

(Basic laboratory techniques and methods)

Biological
Microscopy
is the technical field of using microscopes to view
samples & objects that cannot be seen with the
unaided eye (objects that are not within the
resolution range of the normal eye).
Tissue Culture
• In biological research, tissue culture refers to a
method in which fragments of a tissue (plant or
animal tissue) are introduced into a new,
artificial environment, where they continue to
function or grow. While fragments of a tissue are
often used, it is important to note that entire
organs are also used for tissue culture purposes.
Here, such growth media as broth and agar are
used to facilitate the process.

• While the term tissue culture may be used for

both plant and animal tissues, plant tissue
Aseptic Technique
Aseptic technique means using practices and
procedures to prevent contamination from
pathogens. It involves applying the strictest rules
to minimize the risk of infection. Healthcare
workers use aseptic technique in surgery rooms,
clinics, outpatient care centers, and other health
care settings.
What is aseptic technique used for?
• Following aseptic technique helps prevent the spread of pathogens that
cause infection.
• Healthcare professionals commonly use aseptic technique when they’re:
• handling surgery equipment
• helping with a baby’s birth by vaginal delivery
• handling dialysis catheters
• performing dialysis
• inserting a chest tube
• inserting a urinary catheter
• inserting central intravenous (IV) or arterial lines
• inserting other draining devices
• performing various surgical techniques
Dissection
Dissection (from Latin dissecare "to cut to pieces"; also
called anatomization) is the dismembering of the body of a
deceased animal or plant to study its anatomical
structure. Autopsy is used in pathology and forensic medicine to
determine the cause of death in humans. Less extensive
dissection of plants and smaller animals preserved in
a formaldehyde solution is typically carried out or demonstrated
in biology and natural science classes in middle school and high
school, while extensive dissections of cadavers of adults and
children, both fresh and preserved are carried out by medical
students in medical schools as a part of the teaching in subjects
such as anatomy, pathology and forensic medicine.
Consequently, dissection is typically conducted in a morgue or in
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Agarose gel electrophoresis is a method of gel
electrophoresis used in biochemistry, molecular
biology, genetics, and clinical chemistry to separate a
mixed population of macromolecules such as DNA or
proteins in a matrix of agarose, one of the two main
components of agar. The proteins may be separated by
charge and/or size (isoelectric focusing agarose
electrophoresis is essentially size independent), and
the DNA and RNA fragments by length.[1] Biomolecules
are separated by applying an electric field to move the
charged molecules through an agarose matrix, and the
biomolecules are separated by size in the agarose gel
[2]
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method widely used
in molecular biology to make several copies of a
specific DNA segment. Using PCR, copies of DNA sequences are
exponentially amplified to generate thousands to millions of more
copies of that particular DNA segment. PCR is now a common
and often indispensable technique used in medical
laboratory and clinical laboratory research for a broad variety of
applications including biomedical research and criminal
forensics.[1][2] PCR was developed by the American
biochemist Kary Mullis[3][4] in 1983 while he was an employee of
the Cetus Corporation. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in
Chemistry in 1993 (along with Michael Smith) for his work in
developing the method.[5]