Category Archives: Uncategorized

Everyone seems to be writing papers at the moment. The other day in the office, two of my labmates were sitting at a computer, thrashing through the proto-Results section of their jointly first-authored magnum opus. In such close quarters, the … Continue reading →

The history of our fair profession is riddled with stories. First and foremost are the journal articles themselves, which seek – in their own characteristically arid way – to describe an incremental advance and thereby place it into the context … Continue reading →

If you are not an absolute geek, look away now. As for the rest, have any of you ever visited the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh? I first had the pleasure one summer long ago when I ran away … Continue reading →

I’m afraid to say it out loud, but my lab notebook just isn’t up to the job anymore. Last time I talked about how difficult it is to display some forms of modern experimental data in a readily comprehensible fashion. … Continue reading →

The ways and means of science are changing. It’s true: I can feel the tide tugging at me. I’m that waterlogged bit of dead tree mired in beach shingle; the last few passes of the surf have caused me to … Continue reading →

It may be below zero on these chill London evenings, but spring is in the air. And so is science-related fiction. On Monday, I was a talking head on the Guardian‘s ‘Science Weekly’ podcast, which was devoted to science and … Continue reading →

Like many scientists, I often gnash my teeth at the way our profession is portrayed in science documentaries. Yet at the same time, I have always suspected that it is not as easy as it looks. So it was with … Continue reading →

It was only a matter of time before the British government cottoned on to the fact that we cavalier biological researchers were regularly engaged in perilous international ‘veterinary trafficking’ activities. Yes, you. Put down that rabbit antibody and step away … Continue reading →

I’d like to personally invite everyone living in or near London to our much-awaited free RI/Nature Network blogging event tomorrow night, already bigged up by our esteemed Editor but worth another mention. I’m already feeling seriously outclassed at the prospect … Continue reading →

Thanks to some gentle, skilled persuasion by Bora Zivkovic (a man I would advise you to avoid as a poker opponent), I have just assumed the mantle of Editor of The Open Laboratory 2008. As many of you know, Open … Continue reading →