What Is CRISPR and How Is It Being Used Today?

What is CRISPR? 

CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a gene modifying function that can be used to heal genetic defects, stop the spread of diseases, and enhance the growth and quality of crops. CRISPR is different from other gene editing technologies since it can change the DNA of animals, plants, and microorganisms with extremely high precision.

How does CRISPR work?

Essentially, CRISPR works by having an enzyme called Cas9 cut up specific parts of DNA, the Cas9 enzyme acts as molecular scissors that are extremely precise and efficient at targeting specific parts of DNA. Researchers are then able to repair, modify or replace it with new DNA that is healthier, or more efficient at solving the problem at hand. This revolutionized many fields as it enabled researchers to not only tweak, but completely change DNA. With the use of CRISPR, there have been significant breakthroughs

Canadian Sustainability Initiatives for a Greener Future

With an abundance of natural resources and spectacular scenery, it's no wonder sustainability is important to Canadians. While we are increasingly embracing sustainability on an individual level, our government has also enacted several measures to protect natural resources for ourselves and future generations. Here are four ongoing sustainability initiatives in Canada that can lead us to a greener future: 

Single Use Plastic Ban

Although Canadians are recycling more than ever, only 9% of plastic is being recycled annually. A new approach is therefore needed to ensure the entire life cycle of plastic can be addressed. Canada's ministry of environment and climate change made a proposal to ban the use of certain single use plastics, which will be brought into force by late 2022. 

The list includes: 

• Checkout bags
• Cutlery
• Food service ware
• Plastic

This Psychology Month, Make Mental Health a Priority 

When one member of society improves their quality of life, it spreads far beyond just themselves. For this reason, Canada has dedicated the month of February to explain how psychology works to help, and to raise awareness about how to protect and improve your own mental health. 

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior of humans. Psychologists apply their knowledge of how we think, act and feel to understand how biological influences, social pressures and environmental factors affect our mental well-being. 

February is Psychology Month. Why Do We Celebrate ? 

Psychology month is a campaign dedicated to showing the impact of psychology on society, and to commemorate the effort of Canadian psychologists who work to improve the wellbeing of many.

COVID-19s Impact On Mental Health 

This year, in particular,

30 Reasons to Choose Ultident Scientific

To celebrate our 30 years in business, we compiled a list of 30 reasons customers like yourself, have made ultident their go-to scientific supplier, year after year. We know the world is full of choices, so thank you for choosing us!

1. We are a local, independent organization with entirely local leadership.
2. We offer quick and reliable delivery across Canada.
3. We have a deep understanding of the Canadian Scientific Market and fully understand our customers’ unique challenges
4. Our territory managers are friendly, approachable and always willing to go the extra mile.
5. All of our products are top quality. Our extensive network of trustworthy suppliers is audited on a regular basis to ensure they meet the rigorous standards of our quality management system.
6. We place customer success at the center of our business practices. Your success is our success.
7. We have extensive experience c

The Coolest Science and Tech Discoveries of 2021

Despite societal shifts that have impacted nearly every aspect of our lives, scientists have kept discovering, innovating and ensuring the world keeps moving forward. This relentless ingenuity has led us to impressive achievements in life science research, technology, and the convergence of these disciplines. 

Here are some of the coolest discoveries you may have missed.

1- Graphene: The Most Valuable Nanomaterial 

At one atom thick, Graphene is the thinnest compound known to man. Did we mention it’s also 200 times stronger than steel? Graphene has the ability to change the capacity, and longevity of batteries (by 10 fold!), which will effectively make sustainable technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels much more viable in the future.

2- Xenobots: Scientists Build the First-Ever Living Robots that can Reproduce

Xenobots, assembled in a petri dish from frog stem c

Why Movember Matters: 5 Things Everyone Needs to Know

Each year in November, men around the world grow a mustache to raise awareness for men’s health issues. Despite this being an extremely important cause, many are still unfamiliar with the movement. 

Here are five things everyone should know about Movember:

What is Movember?

Movember, founded in 2003, is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health. Participating in Movember usually involves growing a moustache, to raise funds, and increase awareness for various men’s health issues. The movement’s aims to help men live happier, healthier, and longer lives. This global community tackles some of the most prevalent issues that men face, such as: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. 

If You Are a Man, You Should be Self-examining.

What a lot of people don’t know is that testicular cancer is the #1 cancer among young men. Yet most men at risk don’t kno

4 Reasons Life Science Labs are still Experiencing Supply Shortages

As the COVID pandemic continues to twist and turn, life science labs are still experiencing supply shortages. We break down the main reasons why so many life science labs are still struggling to source consumables 18 months into the pandemic.

1- Increased Demand for COVID Testing

Supplies Microplates, transfer pipettes, filter tips, gloves, and other equipment typically needed for life science labs are also needed for hospitals, testing centers, and vaccine administration sites. The pandemic’s sudden arrival made it difficult for consumable suppliers to grapple with an unprecedented demand for a historically stable product.

2- Decreased Supply of Plastic and Polypropylene

This first point relates to another step back on the supply chain as plastic/polypropylene needed to make a variety of research equipment such as cell culture dishes, pipettes, centrifuge tubes, etc., a

How to Select the Right Nitrile Glove for your Application

With so many varieties of Nitrile Gloves on the market it can be hard to know which one to pick. We spoke with our glove experts and came up with some considerations to help you make the right decision. 

For the purpose of this article, we’re going to focus on single-use, disposable, medical-grade nitrile gloves most commonly found in hospitals, medical facilities, dental facilities and laboratories. 

All medical-grade gloves are Health Canada licensed as Class 2 Medical Devices, ensuring they have undergone rigorous testing to provide the strength and durability needed for your specific application. Health Canada guidelines also state that medical-grade gloves must be clearly identified as such by using specific words, (like “health care”, “examination”, “medical”) symbols or images that signify medical use. While non-medical gloves may be less costly, they are also less protective. 

Glov

6 Tips for Safe Centrifugation

1- Use the right equipment

When it comes to selecting the right centrifuge, the most important factor is the spin rate. The spin requirements of your application (calculated in Relative Centrifugal Force, aka RCF, aka the g-force) must be equal to or lower than the maximum spin rate of the centrifuge. The type of rotor you select (fixed angle vs. swinging bucket) and its size will also impact the RCF of your equipment. Always operate rotors within the stated guidelines for speed and maximum compartment mass and be sure to keep all centrifuge components clean and well lubricated. Finally, make sure your centrifuge is calibrated and in proper working order or risk dangerous spills and sample loss. 

2- Choose the right tubes

While selecting the right centrifuge tube will ultimately depend on your protocol’s specific needs, spin rate is once again a crucial component. You must use a tube which h

From Tissue to Technology: 8 Fun Facts About Cell Culture Research

1- In 2020, stem cell experiments were launched into space.

Two lead research from the University of Zurich sent adult human stem cells to the International Space Station. The experiment started on March 6th 2020 as part of a resupply mission on Space X’s CRS-20. The researchers are testing an innovative method to produce human tissue, and hope to gain a better understand of how human tissue is produced in the weightless atmosphere of space.

2- Frog nerve fibers were the first successfully cultured animal cells grown outside the human body.

In 1907, American zoologist Ross Granville Harrison cultured frog neuroblasts in a lymph medium. This proved that nerve fibers can be developed without a pre-existing bridge or chain and that tissues can be grown outside of the body. This finding helped pave the way for stem cell research, an understanding of the nervous system and surgical tissue