Feeder cell prep

Micromanipulation pipettes

For the type of pipettes, refer to this document available at cookmedical (micromanipulation pipette).

This is the first time I am going to handle the above assembly to manipulate embryos and I am researching the type of micromanipulation pipettes available.

In addition to getting pipettes from manufacturers, these pipettes can be made in the lab using a micropipette puller. Refer to Sutter pipette cookbook to determine the settings required for pulling different types of pipette. These pipettes need to be fire-polished (or flame-polished) to smoothen the surface.

In addition, holding pipette can be generated by briefly exposing micropipette to flame (or via microforge for more precision under microscope observation).

Fig shows fire-polished glass micropipette or pipette. Taken from Nature Publishing.

Fig shows microforge used for processing micropipettes. Taken from Tritechresearch.

A video showing how to process micropipette using microforge and grinder.

Equipment available in the following links

• Narishige needle processing catalog by Tritechresearch
• Sutter Instrument micropipettes fabrication tools.
• Leica DMi8 microscope for micromanipulation.

Solved: How to disable highlighting new programs in Windows 7, Vista & XP

Thanks to HowToGeek instruction, I was able to disable the annoying persistent highlight of new programs installed in Windows 7. Refer to the post here with pictorials.

First, move mouse cursor to taskbar, right click to bring out a menu option, then go to properties. Click on the Start Menu tab. Click on Customize… (to customize how links, icons, and menus look and behave in the Start Menu). Scroll down a list and search for “Highlight newly installed programs”. Deselect that. Done.

Scientific misconduct and recent cases

I followed the first one about a Japanese researcher Haruko Obokata who was suspected of spiking her work with stem cells from other sources to suggest that she could induce inducible pluripotent stem cells iPSCs by stressing normal cells (or somatic cells).

Recently, another case in the US about a researcher Dong Pyou Han who spiked his rabbit blood samples with human antibodies to suggest that vaccine injected to the rabbits was able to induce immune response against the vaccine against HIV.

For the latest case, the perpetrator got a prison sentence.