Plant biology pitfalls and solutions to frequently used research techniques

With the different challenges facing researchers in Plant Biology, it is important to identify any possible complications early to minimize the number of repeats needed for certain frequently used experiments and techniques. Commonly used techniques in plant biology include fluorescence microscopy, mass spectrometry/posttranslational studies, plant growth assays, and immunoprecipitation/co-immunoprecipitation. Long life cycles and variable growth conditions can often make workable materials for these experiments scarce in quantity. Any kind of unintentional repeat could set experimental timelines back anywhere from weeks to months, depending on the plant being used. We will introduce the various challenges faced when using these techniques for plant biology purposes, followed by some solutions and tips to consider before implementing these techniques in your research workflow. Lastly, we will also introduce the various tools available from GenScript to help counter these issues as well.