Four factors affecting reproducibility in life science research and how to handle them

Consistency in research experiments is hard to achieve. There are several factors that can affect data reproducibility. Publishing data in high impact journals requires repeating experiments and standardization of techniques and procedures.
We summarize 4 major factors for generating robust and reliable data.
  1. Reagents
As a rule, the brand and catalog numbers of products for a specific experiment or project must be fixed to ensure low variability in the data generated. One must use reagents from reputed brands with citations to maintain credibility of the results. Verifying the quality of the reagents will save both time and effort involved in planning and execution. This can be done by a thorough literature study and checking user reviews before ordering the product. If working with cell culture, the date of opening of cell culture media and its expiry must be labeled and checked before using it. This also applies to other reagents such as FBS, trypsin or PBS, etc. Old reagents must be discarded timely. For molecular biology experiments, antibodies and PCR reagents must be stored at an appropriate temperature and aliquoted from stock vials.
  1. Equipment
Equipment is another factor that can affect the endpoint analysis. Whether it is an analytical balance, pH meter or a microscope, servicing of the parts and calibration should be performed regularly. This is important to maintain accuracy and precision of the products. Variations can occur if switching from one equipment, therefore, validation is the key. Training and operator modules/workshops for various equipment must be organized.
  1. Personnel
User lab practices and training will be a strong determinant in generation of reliable data. Therefore, a strong training and mentorship are crucial to lay foundation of basic skills and lab practices. Another aspect of variability is the statistical analysis of the data generated. Cherry-picking the interesting results may seem promising but will not always be reproducible.
  1. Methods
Different assays must be standardized and detailed SOPs should be drafted for all procedures. Right from pipetting to cell culture practices, laying down guidelines for the lab will help the newcomers to adapt faster in a lab. Sources of inherent variability in cell-based assays must be recognized and techniques must be regularly updated to ensure minimum variability.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dealing With Contaminated Cell Lines: Don’t Miss Your Data

Image
The reproducibility and validity of scientific findings are shaped by a multitude of factors, and precise experimental methodologies, as well as the use of identical experimental substances where applicable, must be recorded. Reproducibility necessitates the characterization of reagents to assure their purity. Cell culture is an essential component of current biomedical research. Multiple quality control techniques, including cell line identification and validation that cell lines are not contaminated, are essential to assuring that reported data is reproducible. Cell line authentication is required to guarantee that cell lines have not been unintentionally incorrectly labelled or cross-contaminated, which could contribute to incorrect disease model interpretations. The necessity of quality control of cell lines used in scientific research cannot be overstated, as it is vital for data reproducibility. Two major hazards in tissue culture are: 1.        C...
Read more

The Power of Mouse Liver Fractions

Image
  The goal of every drug discovery is to develop safe and effective medications. To achieve this crucial goal, a key step involves studying the metabolism of drugs in order to understand their potential toxicity and effectiveness. Even before we start preclinical trials on human primary cells or animals, we need to test the drugs in vitro to ensure their safety and efficacy. One major step forward is the use of mouse liver subcellular fractions. Why are these fractions important? New drugs need to be safe and effective. Part of this safety check involves understanding how our bodies metabolize the drug. These mouse hepatocyte S9 fractions mimic the human liver's metabolic machinery, helping researchers predict how a drug will be processed in the body. We have three types of fractions, namely S9, microsome, and cytosol, that can offer a significant understanding to improve drug discovery. Think of these fractions as specialized teams within the liver cell, each with a specific role ...
Read more

From Tissues to Treatment: How Sarcoma and Carcinoma Differ in Origin and Progression

Image
  When it comes to understanding cancer, it is crucial to recognize the various types and their distinct characteristics. Two major categories of cancer that often arise in medical discussions are sarcoma and carcinoma. While both originate in different types of tissues, their progression, treatment options, and prognosis can significantly vary. In this blog, we will explore the origins of sarcoma and carcinoma and their unique progression patterns, and discuss how these differences impact their treatment approaches. Understanding Sarcoma Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops from connective tissues, including bones, muscles, cartilage, blood vessels, and soft tissues. Unlike carcinoma, which typically originates from epithelial cells, sarcomas arise from mesenchymal cells . This distinction in tissue origin gives rise to notable differences in how sarcomas progress and spread. Origin and Progression of Sarcoma Sarcomas often begin in the supporting structures of the body, such...
Read more