Recommended background knowledge I should know before working in a molecular and microbiology lab?

[MeSoPro]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

So I just got a new lab position in my school's molecular + microbiology department starting this fall. What are some good resources for me to learn the basic background knowledge before I start? I am current a rising sophomore. I have taken an intro to cellular biology class but it was pretty basic. If it helps my lab works mainly with the TB bacterium. Thanks guys!

 

[takeurmeds02]

Start by reading articles from the lab you'll be starting in. Do some online research about concepts that you are unfamiliar with after reading those articles. Once you understand the focus of the lab, you can branch out within the field to get a greater understanding.

 

[vellez]

Dilutions and quanfying organisms. That's probably gonna be 95% of what you do in a micro lab.

 

[samac]

No one here knows what you'll do in your lab.
Ask your fellow what you could do to prepare, I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

 

[Lucca]

I second reading the group's publications. Once you understand what it is they do look up some of the experimental techniques in the Methods section of each paper if you want to find out what it is you will be physically doing while in the group.

 

[Doug Underhill]

It's not about taking outside info from SDN in, it's about learning and understanding what they have to teach you.

 

[Goro]

How to handle a micropipettor and how to make solutions.

And wash your hands when you're finished in the lab.

So I just got a new lab position in my school's molecular + microbiology department starting this fall. What are some good resources for me to learn the basic background knowledge before I start? I am current a rising sophomore. I have taken an intro to cellular biology class but it was pretty basic. If it helps my lab works mainly with the TB bacterium. Thanks guys!