Preparation for a paper

All notes should be complete such that we can go back and reference them for future writing

We want to tell a story so including motivation and plans is important (take the time it will be worth it)

Preparation of figures and presentation slides along the way will help develop our story and solidify our plans

Limited time necessitate preparing our presentation and any writing we want to do along the way

Image preparation

Existing rasterized images (gels, photos etc.) should be modified (ethically) in photoshop

New drawings or modification of graphs and tables should be done in illustrator

Save in native adobe format as well as other formats for web or integration into writings

Save graphs as .ps or .pdf from graphing program to import into illustrator

More imaging

We will try to keep a standard format for figures as we go so that they can be put together easily

Keep font sizes, line weights, color matching the same throughout image as well as across images

When making images for presentations save as .png with transparency (also save as .ai or .psd)

Labeling and reaction mixing

Label each sample carefully and non-ambiguously before adding reagents

Make a list of reagents for each reaction before starting

check off each reagent as you add them to the reactions

Double check everything is there before incubating or running reaction

Pipetting

Make sure you have the right pipette for the volume needed

When taking fluid depress button of pipette only to the first level of resistance

Look at tube and tip when taking up reagent

When ejecting liquid depress button of pipette all the way down remove from sample and release