Hanif A Zaman - The Biotech Blog

BeyondWords and Temporary Break

This week, I decided to add a new feature to all future blog posts: TTS! This will hopefully make my blog more accessible to anyone who wishes to read my content. To be able to do this, I am using BeyondWord's free plan and integrated it to my website. If

Microbiology/Biotech

The Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE) - Personal Write Up

On the 13th of this April, I had the opportunity to be able to test my skills for the chance to earn a industry-recognized certification! BACE, an exam created by the University Florida with the help of Biotility, tests candidates for proficiency in common skills and knowledge sets that were

Labs

Using mtDNA to Determine Ancestry

Labs

(Attempted) Lichen Biodiversity!

General

Server Maintenance (3/13)

For the week of March 13th, my server will be undergoing both hardware and software maintenance to ensure the longevity and accessibility of my blog. Because of this, there will be no post today, and the server may be out several times this week. The next new post will be

Organic Chemistry

Spectroscopy, Coca-Cola, and the Center of the Universe: An Overview of Basic Spectroscopy

Recently, a new beverage from Coca-Cola came out that claimed to be "space flavored". This drink, known as Coca-Cola Starlight, made me ponder how the company would manage to make a drink that tastes like something no human has tasted before. Doing some research into the subject at hand, I

Just for Fun

Sleep: It's More Important Than You Think!

After the first 2 months of the spring semester, my first week-long break is here! This means more time to relax, unwind, and most importantly, sleep. While this post may differ from the usual content (maybe not usual, I only have 4 posts as of this moment), I felt it

Microbiology/Biotech

Basic Cell Line Maintenance

Transitioning from prokaryotic cells to eukaryotic cells is a big step-up from every other lab done up until this point. Not only does it require more caution to remain aseptic, but it also requires constant monitoring over a much longer period of time. A single infect or a small slip

Organic Chemistry

Caffeine Extraction from Tea

If you were to ask any sleep-deprived student what their favorite psychoactive drug is, most would give you a blank stare. Others, however, will say caffeine! Caffeine is an alkaloid, a class of plant-based organic nitrogenous compounds that have a noticeable effect on the body. With caffeine's ability to stimulate

Just for Fun

Pipette Paradise!

The most revolutionary device of all mankind is the pipette; well known for its use in biology or chemistry labs, pipettes are respected in all corners of the science world. All pipettes have a couple things in common: they move liquids aseptically and accurately. You may wonder why there are

Microbiology/Biotech

Basic Bacterial Identification

Kicking off the first post with an exciting topic (to me at least): bacterial identification! I actually learned this in my Essentials of Biotechnology class during my 10th grade year, but the applications course starts off with an identification lab to ease us back into microbiology. The lab itself was