Open Lab Video Library

See every step. Skip every pitfall.

Lab videos and hard-won lessons in one place, so you walk in prepared.

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Avoid the Pitfalls

Real mistakes other researchers hit, and how to get them right.

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Pitfall Transfection

Massive cell death after transfection — reagent toxicity is too high

Why it fails Transfection reagent dose is too high or inherently toxic

Pitfall qPCR (RT-qPCR)

No amplification — Ct value missing or > 40

Why it fails Template (RNA / cDNA) degraded or concentration too low

Pitfall Cell Culture (Contamination)

Mycoplasma Contamination - Silent Growth Inhibitor

Why it fails Introduction through poor aseptic technique (mycoplasma found on human skin)

Pitfall Plasmid Construction

Confirmed colony later shows recombination or deletion

Why it fails Insert contains repeat sequences, LTRs, or other unstable elements that recombine

Pitfall Western Blot

No bands at all (blank membrane)

Why it fails Transfer failed or membrane transfer was incomplete

Pitfall Colony Formation Assay

No colonies at all — total failure

Why it fails Seeding density was too low (or no live cells survived)

Featured

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Popular

Trending protocols, by views on Labtorial and their source platforms.

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Visualizing Genetic Variants, Short Targets, and Point Mutations in the Morphological Tissue Context with an RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay
10:57 JoVE (Open Access)
Biochemistry

Visualizing Genetic Variants, Short Targets, and Point Mutations in the Morphological Tissue Context with an RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay

JoVE (Open Access) ·

Using the GELFREE 8100 Fractionation System for Molecular Weight-Based Fractionation with Liquid Phase Recovery
07:57 JoVE (Open Access)
Biochemistry

Using the GELFREE 8100 Fractionation System for Molecular Weight-Based Fractionation with Liquid Phase Recovery

JoVE (Open Access) ·

Western Blotting Protocol
09:38 Cell Signaling Technology
Biochemistry

Western Blotting Protocol

Cell Signaling Technology ·

Restriction Digest Analysis
08:02 Addgene
Cell Biology

Restriction Digest Analysis

Addgene ·

Western Blot Troubleshooting Guide
10:14 Cell Signaling Technology
Biochemistry

Western Blot Troubleshooting Guide

Cell Signaling Technology ·

Protocol for Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Mosquitoes and Infection Phenotype Determination
14:10 JoVE (Open Access)
Microbiology

Protocol for Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Mosquitoes and Infection Phenotype Determination

JoVE (Open Access) ·

Recently Added

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Western Blot Principles and Applications
50:25 Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors)
Biochemistry

Western Blot Principles and Applications

Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors) ·

Mouse Cochlear Basilar Membrane Immunofluorescence
09:45 Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors)
Cell Biology

Mouse Cochlear Basilar Membrane Immunofluorescence

Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors) ·

Transient Transfection of 293F and CHO Cells Using PEI
01:37 Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors)
Cell Biology

Transient Transfection of 293F and CHO Cells Using PEI

Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors) ·

QuantStudio 5 Real-time PCR Instrument Tutorial
48:05 Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors)
Biochemistry

QuantStudio 5 Real-time PCR Instrument Tutorial

Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors) ·

IHC Staining ImageJ Data Analysis Workflow
08:57 Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors)
Immunology

IHC Staining ImageJ Data Analysis Workflow

Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors) ·

CFX96 Real-Time PCR Operation Protocol
38:06 Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors)
Molecular Biology

CFX96 Real-Time PCR Operation Protocol

Bilibili (China-Accessible Mirrors) ·