Introduction

This course aims to provide the detailed guidelines and procedures for carrying out various biotechnological experiments and analyzing the results obtained. The experiments include estimation of biomolecules, especially proteins and nucleic acids; separation, purification, and characterization of the biomolecules; studying biomolecular interactions using spectroscopic and immunological assays; studying the structure of cell and its components; and certain experiments related to molecular biology and genetic engineering. The course is divided into following seven modules:

Module 1: includes introduction to the course, good laboratory practices, and introduction to water and buffers

Module 2: includes the methods for estimating and characterizing the biomolecules using spectroscopic methods

Module 3: includes electrophoretic experiments for separating and characterizing the proteins and nucleic acids

Module 4: includes chromatographic experiments for separating, purifying, and characterizing biomolecules

Module 5: discusses various immonoassays

Module 6: discusses the microscopic methods for studying the cellular structure, their components, as well as the processes they are involved in

Module 7: discusses the basic tools and experiments of molecular biology.

This lecture briefly introduces the general guidelines and precautions one needs to adhere to before carrying out the experiments in a laboratory. The lecture also introduces the good laboratory practice, an internationally accepted regulation of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that ensures quality assurance of the scientific and industrial research. The lecture also briefly reviews the chemical and structural properties of proteins and nucleic acids, the classes of biomacromolecules studied in most of the experiments discussed in this course.

Guidelines/precautions for a laboratory course

Let us see what all things are important for a laboratory course, especially a course utilizing biological specimens, chemicals, and possibly harmful radiation. Let us outline the dos and don'ts for a wet-lab course:

Do's

1. Always wear the appropriate equipment of personal protection. They include an apron, a pair of gloves, safety glasses, and shoes.
   
   
2. Read thoroughly the detailed procedure before carrying out the experiment.
   
   
3. Identify the potentially hazardous materials required for performing the experiments. It is recommended to go through the Material Safety Data Sheet (please see the next section) supplied with the chemicals to understand their potential hazards and the safe usage .
   
   
4. Before starting the experiment, label your materials (tubes, vials, specimens, etc.).
   
   
5. Check the label on the container before taking out any substance.
   
   
6. Use cleaned spatula for taking out the solid chemicals.
   
   
7. Be well aware of the locations and the operating procedures of the safety equipments such as safety shower, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, eyewash, etc.
   
   
8. Use a chemical fume hood for strong acids and other fuming chemicals and solvents.
   
   
9. Use the recommended biosafety level containment while handling microorganisms.
   
   
10. Before using a biosafety cabinet, always ensure that the UV lamp is turned off.
    
    
11. Decontaminate your work bench and the equipments handled after use.
    
    
12. Decontaminate all the infectious materials before disposing them off.
    
    
13. Maintain a laboratory book and write down all the methods, procedures, and observations in detail.
    
    
14. Any spillage, accident, or injury should immediately be reported to your instructor.